The story of Turning Point in 60 objects
When Turning Point was founded in 1964, attitudes and perceptions to drugs and alcohol were very different to today. Since then, the service has been at the forefront of a huge amount of change in how we understand alcohol and drug dependence, the importance of mental health, and taking an inclusive approach to supporting those with a learning disability.
The Turning Point timeline shows how the service has gone from the first alcohol project in Camberwell, London, to supporting over 170,000 people a year across the whole country. This year, Turning Point will be telling their story by showcasing 60 everyday objects. Take a look through the gallery and get involved by submitting your own object that represents your story as an individual, a friend or family member, or a health and social care worker.
How would increased alcohol availability impact Ireland’s health?
Nearly 80 health, social and community organisations, academics and advocates in Ireland have come together to voice strong opposition to the proposed measures in the Sale of Alcohol Bill by signing an open letter to the three government party leaders.
The bill would increase the number of venues serving alcohol and the extend the opening hours of pubs, clubs and nightclubs, which is likely to have an effect on levels of crime and violence, and place pressure on public services.
International evidence suggests that an hour extension of alcohol trading hours is likely to lead to:
- 16% increase in alcohol related crime
- 30% increase in traffic collisions in rural areas
- 34% increase in alcohol-related injuries requiring hospital treatment.
This development is at odds with the tentative progress Ireland had begun to make towards reducing alcohol consumption following the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018. Experts are therefore calling for a health impact assessment to examine the full implication of the proposal, particularly on vulnerable or disadvantaged groups. Read the open letter in full.
Research grant open for applications
The Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS) 2024 Small Grants Scheme is now open for new applications.
Established in 2020 and running in alternate years, the scheme funds innovative research ideas that can help inform public policy debates on how to tackle alcohol harm. In earlier rounds of the scheme, the IAS has funded fantastic projects on alcohol marketing, no- and low-alcohol products, gender, brief interventions, age gating and more.
The IAS invites applications from UK researchers – especially early career researchers – for projects between £500 and £10,000. The deadline for outline applications is Wednesday 15 May 2024.
Funding for successful projects will be available from September 2024, with a flexible start date. Priority will be given to proposals that contribute to our challenge for 2023–2026: Addressing alcohol-related inequalities.
Information on what will be funded and how to apply is available on the IAS Small Grants Scheme webpage.
Pre-submission enquiries are encouraged and should be directed to grants@ias.org.uk
Save the date: MCA annual symposium on alcohol-related health harm
The MCA Annual Symposium is a key event for health professionals working to reduce alcohol-related health harm and will take place in-person at the Royal College of Physicians in London on 27 November 2024.
The Max Glatt memorial lecture will be given by Dr Lorenzo Leggio, a physician-scientist whose illustrious clinical and research career has focused on the treatment of alcohol and substance use disorders, and on the medical consequences of alcohol use disorder, especially alcohol-associated liver and cardiovascular diseases.
The programme will include a particular focus on the role of stigma in the alcohol field and its ramifications, which we know impacts negatively on the way patients are perceived and treated.
We will have sessions on the latest clinical and policy developments in the alcohol and health harm field, of key relevance to practising health professionals.
Early bird bookings will open in April; subscribe to our mailing list here to receive notifications straight to your inbox.
Why does my face go red when I’m drinking? Understanding alcohol intolerance
This new factsheet by Alcohol Change UK is aimed at helping East Asian people understand more about alcohol and health.
Alcohol intolerance happens when a person doesn’t have the necessary enzymes to break down the toxic chemical that is released as our bodies digest alcohol. Symptoms can include face flushes, rapid heartbeat, headache, nausea, itching, and a rash – and intolerance is particularly common among East Asian people.
As well as explaining the science behind alcohol intolerance, the factsheet describes how prevalent and serious it is, and what people can do about it. It will be of use not only to those who might experience symptoms of alcohol intolerance, but also to healthcare professionals and others working in the alcohol field.
Events
Voices of Recovery
Alcohol Action Ireland
16 March, Queen’s University Belfast
Tackling health inequalities: the need for urgent action
The King’s Fund
8–9 May 2024 (online)
