Alcohol strategy to tackle binge-drinkers

By Michael Holden

LONDON (Reuters) - The government said on Tuesday it wanted to end the binge-drinking culture and bring about a "sensible" attitude to alcohol instead.

Ministers announced a series of measures to tackle drink and its related social problems, with the aim of making people more aware and responsible about how much they drank.

Specific proposals included providing more help for those who want to cut down on drinking, making drunks aware of the consequences of their behaviour and cracking down on cheap alcohol promotions.

Ministers said the idea was not about targeting "middle class wine drinkers" but dealing with those who regularly drank harmful amounts.

"We are not about preaching to people. We know most people drink sensibly," said Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker,

The damage caused by alcohol misuse in health, crime and disorder terms is estimated to cost 20 billion pounds in England and Wales, while more than 7 million English people are rated hazardous or harmful drinkers.

Official figures show about 180,000 people each year are admitted into the health service with alcohol-related problems or injuries, while alcohol-related deaths have doubled since 1979.

The focus of the strategy, drawn up by the Home Office and Department of Health, will be three main groups -- the under 18s, binge drinkers aged 18-24, and older adult drinkers unaware of the damage caused to their health by their heavy drinking.