What is the scale of the alcohol problem in Merseyside?

1. What is the scale of the alcohol problem in Merseyside? Michela Morleo Alcohol Research Manager June 2009 Centre for Public Health, Liverpool John Moores University

2. Overview • Alcohol consumption • In England and in Merseyside • Experience of alcohol-related harms • In England and in Merseyside • So why drink?

3. The situation in England • Different patterns of drinking • Low level drinking • Binge drinking • More habitual drinking • Eight million hazardous drinkers • Two million harmful drinkers • What does this mean? Source: NWPHO (2008)

4. What does that mean? Women • Hazardous consumption • 15 to 35 units • Per day: • Harmful consumption • Over 35 units per week • Per day: Men • Hazardous consumption • 22 to 50 units per week • Per day: • Harmful consumption • Over 50 units per week • Per day: 250 ml 250 ml

5. The situation in England • Different patterns of drinking • Low level drinking • Binge drinking • More habitual drinking • Eight million hazardous drinkers • Two million harmful drinkers • Dramatic variations across the country Source: Cook et al. (2008); NWPHO (2008)

6. And in Merseyside? • High consumption in the North West and in Merseyside Source: NWPHO (2008)

7. And in Merseyside? • High consumption in the North West and in Merseyside Source: NWPHO (2008)

8. How much do we really drink? • Surveys underestimate consumption • Estimates of mean weekly units • Surveys: 16 units • Taxation estimates: 25 units • Difference = one bottle of wine per week per drinking adult! • Excludes • Illegal sales • Personal imports • Consumption abroad • Home brew (4 units/week) Source: Bellis et al. (in press); HM Revenue and Customs, General Household Survey

9. Alcohol and related harms • Consequences? • 530,000 hospital admissions • 331,248 recorded violent crimes • 6,514 sexual offences • 40,940 incapacity benefits claimants • £20 billion cost to the economy in the UK • As with consumption, levels of harm vary • Even low levels increase risk • Finland: two thirds of alcohol-related problems and hospitalisations are reported by light to moderate drinkers Source: NWPHO (2008); Poikolainen et al. (2007); Strategy Unit (2003)

10. Daily consumption vs lifetime risk of mortality Shared between 2 Shared between 2 Sensible limits Ignores risks from accidents, violence and injury Source: Australian National Health and Medical Research Council

11. And in Merseyside? • Alcohol-related harm is higher in the North West and Merseyside Source: NWPHO (2008)

12. And in Merseyside? • Alcohol-related harm is higher in the North West and Merseyside Source: NWPHO (2008)

13. Community impacts Merseyside Big Drink Debate findings • 44.3% avoid the town centre at night because of others’ drunken behaviour • 47.5% think action is needed to tackle alcohol in their area • 72.8% are concerned by others’ the drunken behaviour • Specific concerns: • Fire: 19.7% • Litter: 46.5% • Crime: 55.7% • Children drinking in the street/parks: 74.8% Source: Cook et al. (2009)

14. Are things getting better? Males : 40% ↑ Females: 39% ↑ Source: NWPHO (2008)

15. So why drink? To relax 67% To socialise 47% To enjoy with food 48% To gain confidence 13% To forget problems 8% To relieve boredom 8% Source: Carlin et al. (2008); Cook et al. (2008)

16. In conclusion • Excessive consumption in Merseyside is leading to high levels of alcohol-related harm • A variety of harms are experienced • Crime, health and mortality, employability • Overall, levels of harm are not decreasing and guidance suggests even low levels of consumption can put individuals at significant risk • Yet individuals continue to drink • Interventions must account for drinking motivations if they are to successfully provoke change

17. Michela Morleo Alcohol Research Manager m.j.morleo@ljmu.ac.uk (0151) 231 8128 Centre for Public Health Research Directorate Liverpool John Moores University www.cph.org.uk