ABOUT US - NATIONAL STRATEGY

The Government has a strategy for addressing reducing the harm of drugs in England and Wales, called 'Drugs: protecting families and communities' - 2008.

The ten-year drug strategy (2008-2018) aims to restrict the supply of illegal drugs and reduce the demand for them. It focuses on protecting families and strengthening communities.

The 2008-2018 drug strategy comprises four strands of work:

• protecting communities through tackling drug supply, drug-related crime and anti-social behaviour
• preventing harm to children, young people and families affected by drug misuse
• delivering new approaches to drug treatment and social re-integration
• public information campaigns, communications and community engagement

The strategy was updated in February 2008 and you can learn more about it at www.drugs.gov.uk

ALCOHOL STRATEGY

The Government also has a strategy for reducing the harm of alcohol misuse. In June 2007, the Department of Health and the Home Office jointly launched an updated government alcohol strategy, setting out clear goals and actions to promote sensible drinking and reduce the harm that alcohol can cause.

The strategy sets out to: minimise the health harms, violence and antisocial behaviour associated with alcohol, while ensuring that people are able to enjoy alcohol safely and responsibly.

It specifically focuses on the minority of drinkers who cause the most harm to themselves, their communities and their families. They are:

• young people under 18 who drink alcohol, many of whom are drinking more than young people did a decade ago
• 18–24-year-old binge drinkers, a minority of whom are responsible for the majority of alcohol-related crime and disorder
• harmful drinkers, many of whom don’t realise their pattern of drinking is causing harm to their health

If you would like to find out more go to

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_075218

or view the Worcestershire Alcohol Plan 2009-11 here