County alcohol & drug policy doesn’t add up

The County’s latest policy document setting out how alcohol and drug abuse will be tackled across Staffordshire does little to convince me it will make a significant difference.

Now, to be fair, the issue is not easy to deal with… across the entire country we are witnessing an explosion of anti social behaviour, thuggery and violence, much of it down to excessive alcohol consumption and drug abuse. I’d like to say the County is taking a robust approach, but it is not.

It’s not joined up. There’s little evidence of a tangible link in approach between different departments such as Education, Youth Offending Teams, Youth Service, Police and the NHS. One of the problems in two tier local government areas (County Council with local councils) is that it is the local councils across the county which are responsible for Licensing.

Talking to police, I’m unconvinced that the Government’s change to 24 hour drinking has had the effect they hoped it would and whether it has or hasn’t the whole issue around problems associated with drunkenness need a joined approach with local councils and their Licensing Panels. One of the many things the County’s latest plan does not have.

As I said, this is a tough nut to crack and that’s why County Conservatives are developing a suite of new ideas using all the agencies linked to this agenda to achieve a more coherent approach. Watch this space.

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