Warwickshire services urge drinkers to stay in control
16 October 2009
Warwickshire services urge drinkers to stay in control
As part of Alcohol Awareness Week (19 to 25 October), Warwickshire services are highlighting the impact of alcohol misuse by sharing stories about how drink can affect lives and communities.
In support of the Government’s ‘Know Your Limits’ campaign, representatives from the county’s Fire and Rescue Service, Police, health and support services have spoken about their experiences of working with people under the influence of alcohol.
The Respect Yourself Campaign, part of Warwickshire County Council, is one of the organisations taking part. It is a partnership in Warwickshire working as part of the Government’s teenage pregnancy strategy to help young people make informed relationship and sexual health choices.
Manager Amy Danahay explains how excessive alcohol consumption can leave you with more than you bargained for: “Recent research suggests that drinking too much can blur your decision-making ability when it comes to relationships and sexual health.
“At best it could lead you in to an embarrassing situation that your friends will remind you of the next day. At worst, you may have had sex with someone you don’t know without using contraception – this could put you at risk of catching a Sexually Transmitted Infection such as Chlamydia, or maybe even an unplanned pregnancy.
“However, we obviously want people to enjoy themselves - all we are saying is drink in moderation so you can stay in control of your actions.
“In Warwickshire, agencies have a very close working relationship and can point you in the right direction whether you have questions about alcohol-related issues such as addiction, sexual health and domestic abuse or in fact anything that might be worrying you.”
The stories have been co-ordinated by the county council’s Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT). Kit Leck, Manager of the service, said: “We have put these stories together with our partners to demonstrate some of the real consequences of drinking too much.”
For more information regarding alcohol and the services available, visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/alcohol or for relationship and sexual health information, visit http://www.respectyourself.info.
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For media enquiries please contact Stuart Goodwin or Helen List at the Warwickshire County Council press office on 01926 414168.