Action planned as council reveals one in four drink too much in Barnsley

Stark new figures about levels of alcohol consumption in Barnsley have been revealed by the council, showing a quarter of residents drink too much with one in seven leaving themselves at “increasing risk” from the habit.

Now the authority is set to introduce an alcohol plan, with the aim of persuading people to moderate their drinking, with the aim of reducing the impact on their health.

Statistics show those most likely to drink daily at home are in the 56 to 80 age bracket, with “a high socioeconomic status”.

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Death rates from drinking in Barnsley are in line with national figures, but a report to the council’s ruling Cabinet, which is being asked to approve the introduction of the plan, states: “There is a clear health burden from alcohol, shown by high alcohol hospital admissions.

“Alcohol is widely available at a high density per head of population, particularly in the town centre.”

It is hoped an Alcohol Partnership can be set up in town to provide new ways forwards to achieve the results the council wants to see, which includes reduced health problems from alcohol and less drinking among younger people.

The report states that arrangement would have a remit to “challenge services, provide leadership, develop and review pathways, establish information sharing protocols and examine results all with a view to reducing the availability, affordability and acceptability of alcohol misuse across the population.”

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Some work has already been done to reduce the availability of cheap alcohol, with council officials working to encourage shopkeepers who have previously sold strong beers on a can-by-can basis, or at different prices for different customers to stop doing so.