Alcohol and drugs
Alcohol and drug misuse is a problem both for individuals and the community. Nearly half of 'violence against the person' offences, for instance, are alcohol-related. To help try and limit the problems in Herefordshire, we want to educate and raise awareness of sensible drinking among young people.
Most people with alcohol-related health problems aren't actually addicted to drink, but have just regularly drunk more than the recommended units for some years. One unit is equal to 10ml or 8g of pure alcohol. This is the approximate amount of alcohol the average adult can process in an hour.
To keep your risk of alcohol-related harm low, the NHS recommends:
- Not regularly drinking more than 14 units of alcohol a week
- If you drink as much as 14 units a week, it's best to spread this evenly over 3 or more days
- If you're trying to reduce the amount of alcohol you drink, it's a good idea to have several alcohol-free days each week
- Pregnant women and women trying to conceive should avoid drinking alcohol
These are the number of units in different drinks. You can check how much you are drinking with a drinks diary like this one, or by using an app.
If you cut down on your alcohol intake you can improve your general wellbeing and fitness. So, you will be able to sleep better, have more energy and lose weight as well improving your memory, mood and relationships. You will also avoid hangovers and save money. If you want to drink less alcohol you can get lots of advice from organisations like Change4Life, NHS alcohol advice and Drink Aware. If you're worried about your own or someone else's drinking, call Drinkline on 0300 123 1110.
We have lots more information and advice available on our Talk Community Directory
We are also involved in Herefordshire Against Night-time Disorder (HAND), a joint initiative between pub and club landlords and West Mercia police. This is playing a key role in cutting down alcohol-fuelled disorder in the county by ensuring anyone banned from one licenced premise is automatically banned from all the others in the scheme. Most licenced premises in Hereford participate of the scheme, as do many more in Bromyard, Leominster, Kington and Ross-on-Wye. If you would like to know more about HAND call Jim Mooney, Police Licensing Officer - South Hub on 01432 347102 or email herefordandworcesterlicensing@westmercia.pnn.police.uk