At a meeting this week the County Council considered a report from its Children Services Scrutiny Committee which has been carrying out a review on the information and education that is provided to young people about alcohol misuse both locally and at a national level.
In its report to the council, the committee highlighted the wide-ranging work that is being done in East Sussex to address alcohol issues and educate young people about the dangers of alcohol misuse, but concluded that the Government must do more at a national level to address the mixed messages being given out about alcohol.
Cllr David Elkin who was the chairman of the Scrutiny Committee at the time the review was conducted said: “There’s no doubt this issue is taken seriously in East Sussex. Our review examined the work being done in the county very closely and we’ve made various suggestions to strengthen that work further.
“Our biggest concern, though, was the conflicting evidence and advice regarding alcohol consumption and its impact on health that is being provided at a national level. This means it can be extremely difficult to provide a clear message to children and young people.”
In his response to the committee’s findings the director of Children’s Services, Matt Dunkley, welcomed the report, provided an update on the work already being done by the various partners that work together as the East Sussex Drug and Alcohol Action Team and responded to the committee’s findings.
He also said that the National Youth Alcohol Action Plan was due to be published by the Government and its aim was to reduce the impact of alcohol on young people and families. “The Government has said the plan will look at alcohol misuse and consider the case for further action on alcohol advertising.”
Mr Dunkley supported the recommendation that the council should voice its concerns to central Government. “I would support any efforts to highlight the problems associated with alcohol misuse.” He said.
Cllr Meg Stroude, East Sussex Council Council’s Lead Member for Children and Families, said: “There is no doubt in my mind that this is a vitally important issue and the scrutiny committee’s review has been thorough and extremely useful. It has also helped to highlight the very good work being done by the partner organisations in the East Sussex Drug and Alcohol Action Team in our schools and in the wider community. Notwithstanding the fact that the Government is due to publish its Youth Alcohol Action Plan, I think it is absolutely right that we should express our concerns at the effect alcohol advertising has on young people and the mixed messages they receive.”
Notes to editors
This review was carried out by four members of the Children's Services Scrutiny Committee: Councillors Pat Ost (who chaired the review board) and Joy Waite and two co-opted members of the Committee – Sam Gregory (Parent Governor Representative) and Mrs Carole Shaves, MBE, JP (Sussex Police Authority)
For full details of the review, including details of the initiatives in East Sussex to educate young people, and the report agreed by the Children’s Services Scrutiny Committee please visit Children's Services Scrutiny Committee for 14 March 2008 – see Agenda item 9.
The East Sussex Drug & Alcohol Action Team brings together a range of organisations, led by the County Council, that work together to reduce drug and alcohol misuse in the County. These organisations include Local Authorities, Primary Care Trusts, Police and Probation. For further information about the work of the DAAT and its partners, visit the Safe in East Sussex website.
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