Ken's alcohol and drug strategy

Whilst the Government's alcohol strategy, promised for the last four years, looks set for further delays now that responsibility for its production has been moved from the Department of Health to the Cabinet Office, the Greater London Authority has produced Alcohol and Drugs in London, a document which embodies the Mayor's policy on the issue and an action plan aimed at reducing the harm being caused.

The point is made that, in contrast to "the rigorous monitoring and performance management by central government, and the level of resources and priority given to the implementation of the national drug strategy, planned and co-ordinated action to reduce alcohol problems is patchy and under-developed".

The various features which are peculiar to London are outlined and the Mayor's policy is to ensure that these are taken into consideration when dealing with alcohol and drug problems. The capital has 15 per cent of the population, but 23 per cent of drug users live there. In addition, London is a young city with proportionately more young adults between the ages of 20 and 44 than the rest of the country. It is projected that by 2011, one in three Londoners will be under the age of 25 – the age band most likely to experiment with drugs and alcohol excessively.

The action plan goes hand in hand with preparations the GLA is making for the effects of the deregulation of licensing. At the moment its Culture, Sport, and Tourism Committee is taking evidence on twenty four hour drinking.

Almost half of the country's Black and Asian and minority population live in London.

These consist many diverse groups "with different cultures and faiths, and with very different attitudes to alcohol and drugs". This is one area highlighted by the Mayor's action plan since the needs of these minority groups are often overlooked within individual boroughs but acquire much greater significance when looked at on a London-wide basis.

A recent study showed that there are about 55,000 drug-dependent adults in London, but that only one third of this total is in any contact with treatment services. As far as alcohol is concerned, says Alcohol and Drugs in London, six per cent of adult males and two per cent of females in London drink alcohol at a level that will damage their health. These figures, in fact, refer only to people dependent on alcohol: the total of those suffering adverse effects from its use is much higher.

Alcohol and Drugs in London outlines the areas across which partnership working is required to tackle the complex problems which arise from their use: including treatment, public health, transport, policing, the twenty four hour city, housing, community safety, and the family.

The priorities are then set out. In order to "reduce the risk of alcohol-related violence, disorder, and nuisance in London" it will be necessary to ensure that the development of the late night economy in London includes measures "to minimise the damage arising from alcohol use, learning from European and international good practice". An aim is also to raise awareness of the links between alcohol, violence, and other crime across London.

It is also seen as a priority to "promote access to employment, training and education for problem alcohol and drug users". At the same time the GLA (Greater London Authority) will do what is in its power to make sure that "effective alcohol and drug employment practice" is in place.

One of the major problems in dealing with alcohol and drug problems throughout the country is access to treatment. Alcohol and Drugs in London recognises this and pledges to "increase the accessibility and effectiveness of treatment, help, and support services for alcohol and drug users, their families and friends addressing marginalised groups first". In order to achieve this the GLA will lobby the Department of Health to supply adequate funding for London's alcohol services and to implement training on screening and brief interventions across the health and social care professions.

The Mayor, Ken Livingstone, clearly sees deprivation and social exclusion as a major factor in alcohol and drug abuse. To help remedy this his policy includes affordable housing and support for those alcohol and drug users who need it. Measures will also be taken to "promote opportunities so that all vulnerable young people" are able to participate in "sports, arts, culture and other diversionary [sic] activity".

The nature of the Mayor's powers is such that he is in an ideal position to enable and co-ordinate work in alcohol and drug problems throughout London. Alcohol and Drugs in London sets out the present situation, the peculiar issues which affect the capital, and the broad strategy for dealing with them. Commitment and realistic funding is needed from central government and the extent of this will not become apparent until the national strategy finally appears.