ISLE of Wight Council, the Island’s police and the Isle of Wight NHS Primary Care Trust are joining forces to promote a safe drinking message on the Isle of Wight as part of Alcohol Awareness Week.

The campaign which runs between April 7 and 14 aims to highlight the dangers of drinking too much and to encourage sensible drinking among vulnerable groups – particularly the young.

Isle of Wight Council and the police are hoping that the message will hit home with people enjoying the Island’s night time economy.

Both the police and the council recognise that low level violent crime at night is largely caused by people not drinking responsibly which is a concern to other residents.

The Primary Care Trust is also aware that the casualty department at St Mary’s Hospital has to deal with injuries which are directly caused by people drinking too much.

Not only are there immediate injuries caused by people getting into fights or drinking and driving but there is also concern about the long term damage that drinking too much can cause.

Heather Lovell from the Isle of Wight NHS Primary Care Trust said: “Here at St Mary’s we have to deal with the effects of irresponsible drinking both by tackling the injuries that very often result in the short term and the long term affects which can lead to serious damage to the liver and to people’s mental capacity in later life.

“We fully support this campaign and hope that the sensible drinking message gets across.”

Councillor Diana Tuson Isle of Wight Council cabinet member for safer communities and a member of Hampshire Police Authority said: “Binge drinking, particularly among younger people is behind much of the low level violent crime and anti-social behaviour which we see on the Isle of Wight.

“The council, the Primary Care Trust and the police are working hard to ensure that our streets are safe for residents and this important campaign serves to reinforce our message to people to try and drink responsibly.”

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