Police Commissioner asks people to join him in giving up the booze for Dry January

Police and Crime Commissioner, Jason Ablewhite, and Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, Andy Coles, are joining thousands of people giving up alcohol from 1^st January 2017 for a month, to support Dry January.

They are joining forces with Cambridgeshire County Council to encourage other people across the county to do the same.

Now in its 5^th year, the Alcohol Concern campaign asks people to consider giving up alcohol for a month to give their bodies a break from drinking.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Jason Ablewhite said:

“Alcohol misuse costs England approximately £21bn per year in healthcare, crime and lost productivity costs. It can also lead to poor health, including cancer, high blood pressure and depression.

“Taking part in Dry January brings so many benefits – from weight loss to higher energy levels, to saving money and sleeping better. And after the excesses of Christmas and New Year celebrations, what better time to join Andy and I!”

In Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, around 159,000 people are estimated to be drinking at either increasing or higher risk levels (this is based on national estimates and not local data). During 2015/16 a total of 1101 people accessed help from the County Council commissioned specialist treatment service in the county to help manage their alcohol misuse.

Joseph Keegan, Alcohol Strategic Lead at Cambridgeshire County Council says:

“Dry January is not about never drinking again it’s just an opportunity for people to reflect on their drinking patterns and to give their body a break from alcohol after the festive period. Dry January can work well as an individual challenge or with groups taking part like teams at work. Why not give up the booze for a month by taking part in Dry January and benefit from the health kick?”

“Sign up and pledge your support here: http://www.alcoholconcern.org.uk/dry-january.”

ENDS