Alcohol Awareness Week which runs from 14-21 November 2011 aims to highlight the harm alcohol inflicts on thousands of patients throughout the country - particularly young people – and the resulting costs to the NHS. Trust staff are supporting a campaign run by Balance, the NE alcohol office, which is hosting a conference entitled Enough is Enough – Calling Time on Second Hand Harm – at Ramside Hall Hotel, Durham, on Friday 11 November.

Speakers include Dr Aric Sigman, author of Alcohol Nation, Dr Evelyn Gillan, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, Jon Stoddart, chief constable of Durham Constabulary, and Mark Leyshon of Alcohol Concern Wales. Delegates will also see the unveiling of Balance’s latest campaign to raise awareness of the impact of alcohol advertising on children and young people and encourage Government to introduce a range of restrictions to protect them.

Nearly 50 per cent of 18-24 year-olds in the NE drink to get drunk – one in ten drinkers do so daily with one in 20 drinking at least  twice the maximum daily recommended amount of alcohol. 

For further information visit the Balance North East website - http://www.balancenortheast.co.uk/