The Cost of Alcohol to be Focus of Meeting

South Tyneside's attempt to reduce harm associated with alcohol will be discussed at a community meeting next week.

Members of the People Select Committee meeting will hear about plans to ask the Westminster Government to introduce a minimum unit price for alcohol in England.  

Minimum unit pricing will increase the price of the cheapest, strongest products.

This initiative is highly targeted and would save lives, money, cut crime and reduce the pressure on over-stretched emergency services.

Chair of the Committee, Councillor Ernest Gibson, said: "7 per cent of the South Tyneside population drink at high risk levels and consume 43 per cent of all alcohol sold.

"A minimum unit price for alcohol is targeted at the heaviest drinkers who consume the cheapest, strongest alcohol.

"This issue is extremely important, and I look forward to discussing how these plans can be moved forward."  

Members of the meeting will also hear about an audit on local sexual health services which was carried out to understand how service improvements could be made to meet the needs of local people.  

The meeting will be held on Tuesday 18 February at 10am in the Council Chamber, South Shields Town Hall. Members of both the public and press are welcome.