BIRMINGHAM DRUG AND ALCOHOL ACTION TEAM
NEWS RELEASE
Date: 2 February 2009
Ref JNLS/032
Alcohol awareness event in Kings Heath, Birmingham
Birmingham Drug and Alcohol Action Team, part of Safer Birmingham Partnership, is
working alongside Aquarius and Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation
Trust to deliver an Alcohol Awareness Event in Kings Heath, Birmingham, on Saturday, 7
February 2009. The event will be held on the main High Street, opposite All Saints
Church, to coincide with the popular Farmer’s market.
The Awareness Day follows on from the success of previous events held in 2008, where
over 200 Birmingham residents had a free liver test to identify whether the levels of alcohol
they consume had caused damage to their liver.
Free liver tests will be offered from 9.00am until 3.30pm and results will be available the
same day for those who are tested before 12.00pm. Clinical practitioners will be on hand
throughout the afternoon to discuss the liver test results and the potential impact this has
for an individual’s health and well-being. .
Key workers from local drug and alcohol support services will also attend the event to raise
awareness of the treatment and support services available across Birmingham. Taster
sessions of the many complimentary therapies offered to help individual’s deal with the
anxiety and cravings associated with the misuse of alcohol and substances will also be
offered free of charge on the day.
Staff from Aquarius, the city’s largest alcohol support service, will also be demonstrating a
number of educational resources which highlight the harms associated with substance and
alcohol misuse. These include two simulate baby dolls which are designed to show the
effects of substance and alcohol abuse during pregnancy on a new-born baby, and ‘beer
goggles’ – designed to replicate the dangers of impaired vision.
Jenni Northcote, BDAAT’s Strategic Lead, said, “This is a great opportunity for individuals
who are concerned about their alcohol consumption to have their health checked. We
hope that bringing services like this to the heart of local communities will encourage those
who would not normally engage in health services to come forward”.
Dr Georgiou, Clinical Director of BSMHFT's Addictions Service, said, "Working closely with
BDAAT to deliver these liver testing sessions enables us to further promote and raise
awareness of responsible drinking. These sessions will also enable people to find out
more about how they can best adopt a healthier lifestyle."
The event is an excellent example of effective partnership working and has only been
possible to stage thanks to the commitment from local NHS health services, Birmingham
City Council, Housing and Constituencies (Hall Green and Selly Oak), Local Delivery
Groups, Ward Support Officers and the Kings Heath Farmer’s market.
Further events are planned to take place in the Heart of Birmingham and Birmingham East
and North primary care trust regions over the next few months.
END
Notes to Editors
Media opportunities

Have your liver tested and receive your results live on air

Experience a range of complimentary therapies including auricular acupuncture and
electro-therapy treatment
Birmingham Drug and Alcohol Action Team (BDAAT) is part of Safer Birmingham Partnership
(SBP), a multi-agency partnership made up of Birmingham City Council, West Midlands Police,
Birmingham Health Services, Birmingham Voluntary Services Council, West Midlands Fire Service,
National Probation Service - West Midlands.
SBP is responsible for co-ordinating and delivering crime reduction initiatives across the City with
the overall aim of making Birmingham a safer place to live, work and visit.
For further information contact: Lindsey Stubbins, Communications Officer, on
lindsey.stubbins@birmingham.gov.uk or 07920 576 820.