Advice at city sites for Alcohol Awareness Week

Specialist support and advice is being laid on at locations around Wolverhampton as part of Alcohol Awareness Week.

The city council said levels of alcohol harm were high, compared with other parts of the country, while mortality rates and hospital admissions for alcohol specific conditions were significantly above the national average.

Of those who needed support, only about a third were currently engaged with services, it added.

Substance misuse service Recovery Near You (RNY), Suit (Service User Involvement Team), which supports people struggling with or in recovery from drugs and alcohol, and charity Good Shepherd Wolverhampton are among groups offering support at locations this week.

They will be on hand to provide "friendly support and practical advice" at a number of places in the coming days, the council said:

• Central Library from 10:00 to 15:00 BST on Tuesday
• Wolves@Work at i10 from 09:00 to 16:00 on Thursday, including free liver health checks
• The Hub at Wolverhampton railway station from 10:00 to 15:00 on Friday, including free liver health checks
• Mandir temple on Penn Road, from 10:00 to 14:00 on Sunday, including free liver health checks

The council said the authority, RNY and other partners would highlight the harms associated with alcohol and the treatment and support that was available in the city for those who needed it.

Cabinet member for health, wellbeing and community Obaida Ahmed said: "Alcohol related harm affects millions of people every year, leading not only to health problems but also to financial pressures, strained relationships and other challenges for families.

"If you're worried about your own drinking, or that of a family member or friend, we encourage you to take this opportunity to learn more about the help on offer from organisations in Wolverhampton."

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