Tackling the Binge Drinking Culture: Currently there are an estimated 5.8 million binge drinkers costing public services £7.3 billion. Now there is an effective intervention to change behaviour and is fully suported by the Home Office and Ministry of Justice.
The scheme is a short eductational programme which explores:
The link between alcohol, violence and offending
Physical and psychological harms
The legal impact on a person's future life
Alcohol units and unit content
Click the below links to see the full evaluations for Devon and Cornwalls, Derbyshire and Hertfordshires schemes
Sue Green is the Harm Minimisation/Training Services Manager for Druglink and has worked for the Charity for 12 years.
Sue is a Senior Manager for Druglink and leads the Alcohol Diversion Scheme (ADS) tackling the binge drinking culture and has embedded the scheme is various locations throughout the UK including: Hertfordshire, Derbyshire, South Wales, Devon, Cornwall, Surrey, Hampshire, Kent, Blackpool, Brighton and Hove and Staffordshire. Sue is also the lead for the Cannabis Diversion Scheme which sits alongside the ADS.
Sue has worked within the Criminal Justice System managing DRR’s, Pharmacy Based Needle Exchange and is an accredited Drug and Alcohol worker.
Sue is PTTLS (City & Guilds) trained trainer and has studied Counselling for three years.
Sue sits on the CDRP and is Chair of the Drug and Alcohol Theme Group for two local authorities developing and implementing strategic interventions and also sits on the JAG (Joint Action Group) for Dacorum.
Interview with Chief Inspector Mike Pryce of Hertfordshire Constabulary
ADS Launch Video for Devon and Cornwall
Pilot Scheme
In 2007 it was proposed by Dacorum (Hertfordshire) Constabulary that we run a pilot scheme to help reduce crime, disorder and anti-social alcohol fuelled behaviour, by providing those who are arrested due to drunkenness with an alternative to paying the full PND fine by attending a course. This is aimed at encouraging the attendees to reduce their alcohol intake and assess the impact of drink on them and those around them and to empower them to change their drinking habits. The pilot scheme ran for an initial 6 months and following a successful review of its effectiveness it is now recognised nationally as a positive step to fight drunk and disorderly behaviour.
Aims and Objectives
To reduce Anti-Social Behaviour and disorder across all CDRPs
To reduce the level of alcohol related crime across all CDRPs
To reduce the level of re-offending of individuals referred onto the Programme
To enable individuals to assess the impact of drink on them and those around them and to empower them to change their drinking habits
To work towards developing a formal procedure where arrested individuals can self-refer onto the programme (via Custody input)
How it works
The mechanics of the scheme are all adults who are arrested and receive Penalty Notice for:
Drunk & Disorderly
Drunk & Incapable
Section 5 Public Order (Section 5) linked to alcohol
They are provided with a leaflet advising them that should they wish to attend a three hour course for a fee of £40 (currently) the current £80 penalty notice will be waived. However the PND will still be recorded against them.
Druglink offers the course sometimes with a choice of both date and venue. After successful completion of the course the Central Ticket Office is advised and deals with the PND accordingly.
The Course
The programme Druglink delivers to attendees on the course is interactive and encourages offenders to face up to the reality not only of the stupidity of their behaviour but also to the very real danger to their own health by over indulgence in alcohol. Participants are also encouraged to think of the consequences of alcohol fuelled violent behaviour to others around them. It is brought home to them in a short film showing the potentially tragic consequences of such behaviour. The aim is not to 'preach' but to help people take more responsibility for their lives and health and to moderate their future behaviour and alcohol consumption.
Comment made by an attendee:
“I really enjoyed it. I used to be a secret drinker, it was a real eye opener for me and it totally changed my life. I am now seeking help through AA and would recommend the course to anyone. The course was of more benefit to me than twenty AA sessions”.
Sue Green
