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The SaferPeterborough partnership wants people to keep a ‘drink
diary’ and follow other suggestions on re-assessing their drinking
habits as part of the government’s ‘Know Your Limits’ campaign.
Karen
Kibblewhite, SaferPeterborough’s community safety and substance
misuse manager, said: “Excess alcohol consumption can have a serious
impact on people’s health. Many people do not know their recommended
consumption levels so Alcohol Awareness Week provides an opportunity
for them to think about how much they are drinking and the possible
consequences.”
Drinksense,
which offers information, support and counselling to people with
alcohol-related issues on behalf of SaferPeterborough partnership,
is arranging information stands at Peterborough City Council’s
housing options desk in Bayard Place on Monday 19 October; at
Peterborough Regional College on Wednesday 21 October; and outside
the Town Hall in Bridge Street, on Friday 23 October.
Research
reveals that over a quarter of England’s population (10 million
adults) drink above the guidelines for lower risk drinking. Of
these, 2.6 million adults (eight per cent of men and six per cent of
women) regularly drink at higher risk levels.
The Chief
Medical Officer recommends men do not drink more than three–to-four
units daily – equivalent to two pints or two cans of normal-strength
lager or beer – and women do not drink more than two-to-three units
daily – equal to a large glass of wine or three single measures of
spirits.
Drinking
above these levels can increase the risk of heart disease, breast
cancer, liver disease, stroke and other diseases. Drinking above
lower-risk guidelines can limit a person’s ability to get a good
night’s sleep and affect their general day-to-day health. For
further information visit
www.nhs.uk/units
October 2009 -
Peterborough UK Community Website
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