DARLINGTON residents are being encouraged to embrace the Dry January initiative for the benefit of their own health and the town’s environment.

Dry January promotes healthier drinking habits and encourages individuals to give up alcohol for a month and to moderate their alcohol intake in the longer term.

Darlington Borough Council’s Healthy Darlington team is supporting the initiative by organising a January roadshow at the Dolphin Centre next week.

Miriam Davidson, the council’s director of public health, has signed up to the challenge and said: “The economic costs of alcohol misuse to Darlington is huge, there are other costs which are harder to measure, these include the costs to families or the damage to the future of young people as a result of alcohol-related harm.”

Councillor Andy Scott, cabinet member for health and partnerships, added: “We are seeing a continued increase in people young and old, who are suffering ill health through alcohol abuse.

“Dry January is your opportunity to take stock – see if you able to go without alcohol for this short time.

“Your health, your weight and your wallet will thank you for it. I have signed up to take part and shall be encouraging others to do so too.”

Thousands of people took up the challenge last year and evaluation found that people became more aware of the damaging effects of alcohol.

They also examined their own drinking habits and the personal impact the amount that they drank had on their health and others around them.

Darlington resident Siobhan Caffrey, who took part in last year’s challenge, said the initiative offered a positive health goal and helped her save money.

She added: “I enjoyed the challenge and felt better and healthier for cutting out alcohol.

“Surprisingly, the 31 days flew by. I have already signed up to take part this year and have encouraged my family and friends to too.

“Take the challenge – you’ll be surprised how much better you feel.”

The Healthy Darlington Dry January roadshow, which is the first of many, takes place on January 7 from 10am to 5pm in the Dolphin Centre reception area.

The Roadshow will feature a Dry January Challenge – encouraging individuals to sign up to stop, or reduce, their days and level of drinking in January.

There will also be stalls from many organisations, offering support and advice on health and wellbeing issues, including basic health checks.