Churches work to keep drunk people safe

Categories

Addiction Treatment
Alcohol
Drugs
Gambling
In the papers
On TV

News Archive

Home » News » Alcohol » Churches work to keep drunk people safe

by Change | 25 Nov 2008

Bookmark

E-mail

Pastor patrols in a UK district are protecting and advising those who have been engaging in alcohol abuse.

A scheme has been launched in a Lancashire borough which aims to help protect those engaged in alcohol abuse from harm.

Patrols by members of the church offer assistance to those who are intoxicated in Pendle and can refer individuals to alcohol addiction services.

Duties the pastor patrols have engaged in include helping drunken people home safely, clearing glass from the streets and offering a friendly ear.

Members of the Pendle initiative will also recommend drug addiction treatment to those who have been engaging in substance abuse.

A local police detective sergeant Dave Groombridge claims participants have helped both young and old people in the town.

"We're hoping the street pastors will help us to continue to reduce crime, in particular anti-social behaviour," he states.

The scheme began tackling drug and alcohol abuse issues in September and at present involves more than 30 volunteers from town churches.

David Whipp, the chairman of the Pendle Community Safety Partnership, which supplied the uniforms and equipment used in the scheme, claims his organisation is pleased to support it.

"Something so simple can be so effective in making Pendle feel a safer place," he states.

Earlier this month, the Methodist Church called on the government to implement a minimum price on drinks to help stem alcohol abuse.

Bookmark this: