16th April 2007

C/o Town Hall
Pinstone St
Sheffield

Dear Sir,

It is indeed shocking to read that problems of alcohol abuse are growing in Sheffield. (“Shock Rise in Booze Abuse” The Star April 14th). Problems caused by alcohol, such as anti-social behaviour and violence, are an unwanted effect of the night time economy. Not just for the city living apartments in the immediate vicinity but in surrounding areas like Highfields, Sharrow and Broomhall which bear the brunt of revellers rolling home in the early hours of the morning.

Police should be following up thefts and burglaries, not having to deal with increased levels of violence on the street. Extending the time premises can sell alcohol has not been as bad as some people predicted but it has meant that the police need to extend their shifts beyond 4 in the morning.

Licence Watch (formerly Pub Watch), set up to encourage responsible landlords, does not provide guidance on what is a safe level of alcohol consumption. In spite of the growing problem of alcohol abuse the new Public Health Strategy for the city has not identified alcohol as one of its Health Challenges. It should do so.

Alcohol Concern is drawing up an alcohol strategy for Sheffield. We need to ensure resources are available to implement it and begin to introduce the measures recommended. Such a strategy could counter the culture of binge drinking so people can go out to have a couple of drinks and socialise rather than get blind drunk.

The irony is that binge drinking continues to be promoted as glamorous and TV soap operas reinforce this image. Young people are particularly vulnerable yet, at the start of the University term last autumn, students were subjected to irresponsible and lavish promotions for leading brands of alcohol. We need a deeper debate about just why our society is so insistent on inflicting addictive behaviour on itself.

Yours sincerely

Cllr Bernard Little
Sheffield Green Party