Joint effort tackles alcohol issues

Local agencies within Motherwell are looking to establish a Community Alcohol Partnership (CAP) within the North Motherwell and Forgewood area.

CAPs are made up of partnerships between local authorities, police, schools, retailers, neighbourhood groups and health providers, working together to tackle alcohol- related harm to young people and improve the quality of life for residents.

The proposed CAP will work closely with local agencies to take a proactive approach t o alcohol education, ensuring that young people are equipped to make the right decisions about issues including alcohol, antisocial and criminal behaviour.

The CAP will also look at providing activities for local young people through youth services and local charities.

Sergeant Liam Bryson, who is based at Motherwell Police office, believes that a CAP will promote a health and wellbeing message to young people, allowing them to be better informed about the harm that alcohol can cause.

If successful, CAP model will be extended to include other areas in Motherwell.

He said: “We are keen to work together to establish a CAP in the North Motherwell and Forgewood area and as a first step we will be gathering some baseline information from young people in the area using surveys that will be carried out online.

“We would also like to gather some information from residents of North Motherwell and Forgewood about t he i mpact t he underage drinking has on them and again we will do this through a survey.

“I would encourage residents to complete the survey, as its really important we hear their views about what we should be doing”

The residents’ survey be found online.