People in Hackney urged to check their drinking levels during Alcohol Awareness Week 2019

People in Hackney are being encouraged to check their drinking levels during Alcohol Awareness Week 2019, (11-17 November), to ensure they are consuming alcohol at low risk levels that minimise the risks to their health, wellbeing and personal safety. 

More than a third of adults in Hackney are estimated to drink 14 or more units of alcohol every week (14 units a week is the limit for low risk drinking), [1].  More than 70 per cent of residents have a misconception about their personal drinking habits; they believe they are not drinking to excess, but are actually classified as high risk drinkers. It is also estimated that 83 per cent of people in Hackney, who are dependent on alcohol, are not receiving treatment or support for this.

Almost half (48%) of Hackney residents report they do not drink and almost 90 per cent of residents say they have at least 2 alcohol free days. 

To help residents check how much they are drinking, Hackney’s Public Health team, Hackney’s Recovery Service and Young Hackney are working in partnership joining forces with local health partners to run stalls across the borough, during Alcohol Awareness Week. People can visit any of the stalls to take part in a simple quiz which will help them identify how much they are actually drinking and whether it is within recognised safe drinking limits. 

The stalls will be on the following days at the following times in the following locations:

• Monday 11 November 2019 from 11.30am to 4.30pm at Hackney Service Centre, 1 Hillman Street, London, E8 1DY 
• Monday 11 November 2019 from 1pm to 4pm at Homerton University Hospital reception, Homerton Row, Clapton, London, E9 6SR
• Tuesday 12 November from 11am to 2pm at BSix College, Kenninghall Road, Hackney Downs, London, E5 8BP
• Wednesday 13 November from 2pm to 4pm in Gillet Square, Dalston, London, N16 8JH
• Wednesday 13 November from 5pm - 7pm at Dalston Junction station, Dalston Lane, Dalston, London E8 3DE
• Thursday 14 November from 10am to 12pm at St Ignatius Church, 27 High Road, London, N15 6ND
• Friday 15 November from 11.30am to 4.30pm at Hackney Service Centre, 1 Hillman Street, London, E8 1DY
• Friday 15 November from 2pm to 4pm at Providence Row Housing Association, (PRHA), 15 Elsdale Street, London E9 6QW

There is also a simple online test - https://www.alcoholtest.org.uk/alcohol-test - that people can use to check how much alcohol they are actually drinking.  People are also being urged to keep safe when out and about across the borough enjoying Hackney’s nightlife.