In November 2011 the Home Office Select Committee launched an enquiry into UK drug policy.  In particular the focus was on the Government’s 2010 drug policy, and how effective it has been.  It was also to examine the UK policy on reducing the supply and demand of illicit drugs worldwide.

As part of the review organisations and the general public were invited to submit written submissions voicing their opinion.  Due to the interest generated the Committee have extended the date for written submissions to 7th February 2012.

Roads Safety Minister Mike Penning confirmed today that the Government will be launching a Think! anti drink-drive campaign to target drink-driving over the festive period. The campaign is being run in conjunction with Coca-Cola and aimed towards men aged 17-29.

The initiative will offer buy-one-get-one free deals for designated drivers on the soft drink and will be available in 8,000 licensed premises.  The aim is to make young men think twice before drinking and getting behind the wheel.

In the UK, the alcohol limit for drivers is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, 35mg per 100ml of breath or 107mg per 100ml of urine.

Liver disease amongst the under 30’s has increased by 50% in the last decade. According to figures released by the Department of Health it is now the fifth biggest killer in the UK.

Commenting on these figures was Sir Ian Gilmore, chairperson of the UK Alcohol Health Alliance, ”It’s very difficult to know why our culture has changed so radically, but all the evidence suggests that the big drivers for the amount people drink are the price, the availability and the marketing and that is what we have been trying to push governments to look at.”

The government has put together a working group including members of the health organisations and the drinks industry with the aim of finding both health and financial solutions to alcohol related issues.

Leading alcohol misuse charity Alcohol Concern has commented on the white paper published by the Government titled “Healthy lives, healthy people“. The paper, published in November 2010 sets out the overall plan by the Government to create a “wellness” service in England and Wales.

Based on the previous paper called ‘Making Alcohol a Health Priority’  Alcohol Concern have this week outlined a number of recommendations to the Government.  These include ”doubling of investment in alcohol services, an alcohol treatment strategy to drive access levels of at least 15% for people seeking alcohol treatment.”  Further to that they are also looking for the Government to “ensure that alcohol becomes a public health priority in recognition of the extensive harm it causes across society.”

Duty tax will rise next year on high strength beers and lagers with an ABV (alcohol by volume) of more than 7.5%.  The move is seen as the first part of the government’s public health strategy which aims to tackle illnesses that are deemed as preventable including alcohol abuse.

Health campaigners welcome any change that may reduce alcohol abuse however there is a concern that not enough is being done.  Speaking on behalf of the Royal College of Physicians, Professor Ian Gilmore said “It almost amounts to window dressing.  It will go no way towards impacting on the amount people are drinking and the harm they are doing.” Professor Gilmore feels that it would be more effective to implement the higher taxation on all beers and lagers over 5% ABV.

The government views this as an important measure and hopes it will encourage people to consume lower strength products. The higher taxation will not include cider, wine or spirits.