Have A Drink On Us

HAVE A DRINK ON US:

(Safer Swansea Initiative to Encourage Sensible Drinking)

Safer Swansea Partnership has launched yet another innovative initiative this Christmas aiming to reduce the risk of alcohol misuse. From this Friday, 16th December, a special mobile unit will be set up in Castle Gardens, where city revellers can obtain free bottled water and soft drinks.

The initiative, which aims to send the message of safer drinking to city centre visitors, is organised by the Swansea Substance Misuse Action Team. On the days, teams consist of police and council officers from the Community Safety Team, drug & referral workers, will not only pass free soft drinks but also safety advice to party goers in an attempt to encourage people to re-hydrate themselves from the effect of alcohol.

Detective Chief Inspector Peter Azzopardi, Chair of the SMAT availability task group is leading the initiative,

‘We want people living and visiting Swansea over this period to have an enjoyable time in Swanse. The aim is to raise awareness about the causes and consequences of substance misuse, in particular alcohol over this festive period. This is a time when many people are out celebrating and excessive consumption of alcohol can lead to dire results for those who abuse it as well as others around them, such as families and friends.’

The initiative is welcomed by the city’s medical staff, Michael McCabe, an A&E Consultant for Swansea NHS Trust, said

‘During the Christmas period we want everyone to have a good break and enjoy themselves. Avoiding the A/E Unit should improve the enjoyment of Christmas. Unfortunately drinking too much can land one in hospital.’

‘From our viewpoint there are four main areas of concern: ending up unconscious having drunk too much; being involved in assaults; having accidents ; and acute abdominal emergencies. If you drink too much and become unconscious there is a danger of vomiting and having acute respiratory obstruction. This can be fatal. When people have too much to drink minor rows often lead to fights.’

Safer Swansea wants to raise further awareness regarding sensible drinking:

- When going out, you should drink slowly and pace yourself

- Alternate your alcoholic drinks with soft drinks or water

- Eat food before you go out, if you are out for a prolonged period, eat during the course of the day

- If you feel ill or disorientated, stop drinking alcohol and seek assistance from your friends or staff at the venue

- Consider your way home before you go out – arrange a life or pre book a taxi

- Never leave your drink unattended or with someone you don’t know – don’t accept drinks from strangers

- Go out as a group, stay as a group and go home as a group

Mr McCabe continued: ‘I am particularly pleased that the Safer Swansea will be helping people sober up with the offer of soft drinks as well as organizing taxis and buses to move people away from the city centre at the end of the night avoiding crowds which can be the focus of assaults. By having police and paramedics in the city centre anyone who is drunk can be looked after until they are sober avoiding accidents. In addition by spacing out alcohol consumption with some soft drinks hopefully there will be less acute abdominal emergencies in the days after Christmas. As a medical facility we want to see less of people over Christmas and the New Year. All these initiatives will help.’

This year, the Partnership has launched a series of different initiatives to make Swansea a safer place. DCI Azzopardi commented on these initiatives:

‘We are not trying to prevent people from enjoying themselves, what we are advocating is a safer drinking philosophy so that people’s experience of this festive season will be a lasting good one..’

The initiative is strongly supported by the Swansea City Centre Pub & Club Watch and Coca Cola Co., who has provided the drinks for free.

Andrew Scarborough, from the Coca Cola Co., said:

HAVE TO ADMIT IT, GREAT IDEA.