What are your views on having a drink?

People across Wearside and East Durham are being urged to have their say about booze as part of a major discussion led by Balance, the regional alcohol office.

The North East Big Drink Debate aims to find out what impact alcohol is having on the area and help decide how any issues can be tackled.

Drinkers and non-drinkers are being encouraged to take part in what organisers hope will be the biggest public health debate ever held in the region.

Echo readers can have their say by filling in the Big Drink Debate questionnaire in today's paper on Page 67.

The Echo's Don't Be a Boozer Loser campaign is running this fortnight to highlight the dangers of alcohol and encourage people to drink sensibly.

Balance is the UK's first regional alcohol office and was set up to inspire changes in the way people in the North East drink.

The organisation wants everyone to still enjoy a good time, while reducing alcohol consumption, so people are happier, healthier and living in safer communities.

Balance aims to raise the profile of alcohol-related issues and push for appropriate changes in laws, regulations and pricing policy.
Its aim is "not to judge or stop people enjoying a drink, but to help people find the right balance".

Colin Shevills, director of Balance said: "Alcohol is part of many people's lives in the North East.

"Many people who drink significant amounts of alcohol believe they are moderate drinkers because of what they see around them but in health terms they are probably not.

"We want people to start analysing their own consumption."

Balance is working with partners across the region and through the Big Drink Debate will report on drinking patterns and the drinking culture in the North East and how the region is tackling problems.

It will look at where services are needed and help make sure messages are relevant and targeted in the right way.

Colin said: "The problems with alcohol aren't just personal problems, they seep into every corner of North East society.

"We can't keep going on this upwards trend of drinking more and more, leading to more health problems and social problems – it needs to be stopped."

Colin believes that changing the region's alcohol culture is a realistic prospect.

He said: "I don't think it's easy and something that's going to happen overnight but it's something we can't afford to ignore.

"When you get people talking about alcohol they then begin to consider what they drink.

"They start checking and they begin to think 'I'm drinking more than I thought I was'."

Councillor Tom Foster, Chair of the Safer Sunderland Partnership said: "The Safer Sunderland Partnership is keen to support Balance, the North East Regional Alcohol Office, and their work in the 'Big Drink Debate'.

"This survey will further help us understand how and why people in the North East drink, and provide us with the kind of information which will help us all create safer and healthier communities.

"Locally, the findings from this research will be used as part of our ongoing implementation of the city's alcohol strategy, and help us develop services to better meet local need.

"I would like to encourage Sunderland residents to visit www.northeastbigdrinkdebate.org.uk by July 31 and complete the survey."

Read more in today's Echo