Welsh assembly welcomes alcohol concern Cymru. National agency on alcohol misuse to target alcohol harm reduction in wales
Alcohol Concern is pleased to announce it has received funding from the Welsh Assembly to set up a national office for Wales, with the aim of reducing alcohol-related harm across the country.
Alcohol Concern Wales/Cymru will be established as the NGO specialising on alcohol issues in Wales, acting as a champion for alcohol harm reduction.
The organisation will be based in Cardiff and will run campaigns to help consumers make more informed choices and help to get Alcohol Awareness Week up and running in Wales. It will also seek to raise funding for specific projects targeted at reducing harm caused by alcohol and provide consultancy and training to raise alcohol awareness. It will bring relevant stakeholders together, highlight public health concerns in relation to alcohol harm in Wales and lobby for improved alcohol policy at Welsh Assembly and Public Health Team and Board level.
The Profile of Alcohol and Health in Wales, published April 2009, showed that 1,000 people die from causes attributable to alcohol in Wales each year.
Alcohol Concern Chief Executive Don Shenker said:
"Funding from Wales means we can do more targeted work, help shape the future of alcohol services and campaign for change.
"With 1,000 people dying each year in Wales due to alcohol misuse there is a need to both help the public make healthier choices and to put pressure on politicians to take tough action on irresponsible price promotions and loss-leading sales."
Alcohol Concern