Agenda item

Report of the Strategic Director, Communities and Environment

Peter Wright delivered a presentation to the Committee providing an overview of the impact of alcohol on Community Safety in Gateshead. It was noted from the presentation that Gateshead has the second highest rate in England for alcohol relation hospital admissions according to the LAPE. It was further noted that the local prevalence estimates that the number of individuals in need of alcohol treatment is as high as 3,007 whereas the number in treatment in 2016/602 was only 602. It was stated that Blackpool are currently number one in England for alcohol related hospital admissions.

From the presentation the following key points were highlighted regarding alcohol treatment at Gateshead Partnership level 2017/2018:

·         Alcohol is currently the second highest substance reported when clients present to drug treatment. 46.4% of all clients in treatment reported alcohol as either the main substance or one of the substances they were presenting to treatment for. (Clients can cite more than one substance when presenting to treatment)

·         There are currently less clients in treatment citing alcohol as a reason for treatment than for the same period in 2016/17

·         As of quarter 3 2017/18 the rate of successful completions as a percentage of all in treatment for alcohol is 42%. This is an increase in the rate of completions compared to the same period last year (Q3 16/17 40.6%). This 17/18 value is significantly better than the North East (30.98%) and considered not significantly different to the England value of 39.9%

·         As of quarter 3 2017/18 (period Jan 17 – Jun 17 representations up to December 17) have seen a reduction the in the rate of clients who successfully leave treatment and then represent to treatment within 6 months from exit. The rate has decreased from 9% for the same period in 16/17 to only 5.8% for 2017/18. This rate is lower than but not significantly lower than the overall England representations value (8.8%)

The presentation showed a gap in statistics from June to July 2016, it was asked why this was – Peter Wright agreed to look into this and provide feedback at the next meeting.

The issue of the availability of cheap alcohol in supermarkets was noted – it was said that alcohol is now approximately 50% to buy now than it was in the 1970’s. Further to this is was also noted that Scotland are trialling a minimum price per unit for alcohol sales and it is anticipated this will be rolled out across the UK in due course after the impact of this is assessed.

A summary of the Substance Misuse Strategy was provided to the Committee noting three key priorities which are to Reduce Demand, Restrict Supply and the Build Recovery. It was further noted from the presentation that several actions have been successful in tackling the impact of alcohol on Community Safety, these included:

·         Successful representations made to the Licensing Committee

·         Test Purchasing at several premises responding to intelligence       

·         Make Every Contact Count Programme 

·         The 'First Light' veterans support group

·         Continuation of commitment to fund Balance

·         Platform Outreach Project

·         Train the Licensing Committee

·         Represented at regional meetings

It was noted that the cost to the justice system for alcohol related incidents is £22billion – it was then asked whether the Government have identified that the tax applied to alcohol sales is in excess of these costs. It was said this information is not known.

A question was asked to officers as to whether licensing or planning powers could be used to restrict new and existing premises from selling alcohol. It was noted that licensing conditions can be imposed on applicants however planning are unable to impose restrictions as with the new fast food takeaway rules.

It was said that licensing rules are not there to protect the health of individuals but to ensure that alcohol is being sold appropriately and legally, it was also stated that background checks are now carried out on prospective license holders to see if they have held licenses previously and broken rules.

A case study was verbally presented by a former service user Mr Wear who advised the Committee about his involvement with Evolve. Mr Wear told of the difficulties faced by those trying to overcome alcohol addiction in a society where alcohol is extremely prevalent in all environments and even petrol garages and bowling allies. Mr Wear told of his relationship breakdowns with friends as a result of becoming sober and that he now focusses on his family. Mr Wear is now working for Evole as a peer mentor supporting others and placed emphasis that those engaging with services must do voluntarily. The Committee applauded Mr Wear’s efforts and success and thanked him for attending.

It was noted that the results of the Care, Health & Wellbeing OSC investigation into the effects of alcohol abuse are to be brought to this Committee to discuss once finalised.

RESOLVED:

(i)            The Committee noted the contents of the report and presentation.

(ii)           Provided comment on the approaches taken locally to tackle alcohol misuse and its impact on community safety.

(iii)          Agreed to receive further updates at a future Committee.