Binge drinkers forced to pay the price
The Government has launched a pilot project that will force individuals to pay for counselling if they drink too much.
The news will come as a welcome boost to underfire licensees who have complained that individuals are simply not held responsible for their own actions.
People need to face up to the damage that excessive drinking can do to themselves and those around themJacqui SmithHomeSecretary
The Home Office has provided £330,000 for Alcohol Arrest Referral Projects (AARP) schemes in Manchester, Liverpool, Cheshire and Ealing until March next year.
In Liverpool, people arrested for drink related incidents will be forced to pay £30 towards the cost of counselling. The money will be ploughed back into the scheme.
"People need to face up to the damage that excessive drinking can do to themselves and those around them," said Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.
"These pilots will complement powers already available to the police to tackle alcohol related disorder, including on-the-spot fines, confiscating alcohol in public places and closing down premises that flout the law."
In Gloucestershire, pioneers of the AARP, re-offending among those who attended two advice sessions halved within a year.
Typical alcohol referral process:
• A binge drinker commits criminal damage. Arrested and taken into custody.
• Police judge that alcohol played a part and that they might benefit from advice about safer drinking.
• A resident alcohol specialist gives the person advice.
• Those with more complex alcohol problems, and who are given a conditional caution, can be referred to more in-depth advice sessions. If they do not attend, they can be prosecuted for the original offence.
