Rehab clinic referrals on arrest 'key measure'

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by Change | 16 Jan 2009

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Referrals to rehab clinics for those arrested while drinking, providing information on safe drinking limits and curbing cheap alcohol are key measures to reduce alcohol addiction.

Referring people who have been arrested and are found to be at risk of developing alcohol addiction to rehabilitation clinics is one of a series of key measures which must be implemented, a charity asserts.

A spokeswoman for Alcohol Concern claims a number of initiatives must be launched if effective action is to be taken to clamp down on substance abuse.

She advises shops to advertise information about safe drinking limits and the damage which can be caused by exceeding these.

In addition, she says tougher regulations must be brought into effect in order to reduce the appeal drinking has to young people.

The representative states: "Arrest referrals are not the only measure worth introducing - curbing cheap alcohol and poor sales practices will make a real difference and help to reduce alcohol-fuelled harm."

According to statistics produced by the Department of Health, every £1 which is spent on drug addiction treatment saves £9.50 for the rest of society.

Since the implementation of referrals to drug treatment centres in 2003, related crime has fallen by 20 per cent.

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