Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Deputy Director of Public Health.

The report provides an overview of the current data on young people’s alcohol use. It describes the action being taken locally to address young people’s alcohol use. It also summarises what the evidence says should be done to reduce young people’s alcohol use and how we benchmark against this in Stockport.

The Scrutiny Committee are invited to consider and comment on the report.

Officer Contact:Duncan Weldrake on Tel: 474 2443 or email duncan.weldrake@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Director of Public Health submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an overview of the current data on young people’s alcohol use as well as describing the action being taken locally to address young people’s alcohol use.

Representatives of Stockport Youth Council attended the meeting and made a presentation in respect to their efforts to raise awareness about the dangers associated with excessive alcohol consumption.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         A project undertaken by student to inform and educate young people how to stay safe when they drink and to combat any associated risks. The ‘How are you getting home’ campaign was prominent in the borough.

·         A desire to reduce the amount of alcohol advertising particularly in the vicinity of educational establishments.

·         It was agreed that alcohol education should be an integral part of the school curriculum and should be tailored for different age groups and different learning needs. Where appropriate, children and young people who were thought to be drinking harmful amounts should be offered one to one advice.

·         Concern was expressed about irresponsible adults buying alcohol for and supplying young people.

·         Schools should work with a range of local partners to support alcohol education in schools.

·         The MOSAIC School Based Service (MSBS) was a buy back services available to every secondary school, PRU and secondary special school in Stockport.

·         Data revealed that the number of young people drinking alcohol was reducing but that there still remained a significant number of young people who drink at harmful levels.

·         Data also revealed that attendances to the emergency department and hospital admissions indicated that the number of under 18’s attending for alcohol related reasons was reducing.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and that the representatives of Stockport Youth Council be thanked for their attendance and presentation.