Alert on alcohol abuse (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Alert on alcohol abuse

A NEW campaign has been launched to help young people understand the effects that excess alcohol can have on themselves and other people.

The Be:Safe, Know Your Limits Campaign, launched by the Safer Wiltshire Partnership bodies and Healthier Wiltshire, aims to raise awareness among 18-25- year-olds in the county.

Jane Scott, chairman of Wiltshire Strategic Board, said: "The latest alcohol-related campaign is one of many we are running to ensure Wiltshire remains a safe place to live and work."

The strategy covers a three-year period to March 2008 and aims to reduce anti-social behaviour and drug and alcohol related harm.

Alcohol misuse and anti-social behaviour are heavily linked, in particular, with crimes of violence and criminal damage. Local surveys have found that incidents of anti-social behaviour cause significant concern to people living in Wiltshire.

At peak times, eight in 10 visits to accident and emergency departments are alcohol related and, at other times, one in six.

The campaign aims to provide treatment, education and rehabilitation for young adults who are affected by alcohol-related harm.