WAYS to tackle county-wide issues linked to heavy drinking will be presented to councillors at a meeting this week.

Durham County Council’s Cabinet will hear the work done by Durham County Council’s Public Health Team on behalf of the Safe Durham Partnership at The Witham, in Barnard Castle on Wednesday (October 21).

Spearheaded by Councillor Joy Allen, Cabinet member for safer communities, the Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy, 2015 to 2020, aims to encourage adults and young people to take a responsible approach towards alcohol consumption.

Cllr Allen said: “This strategy is designed to tackle problems which can be caused by drinking too much alcohol, such as crime and disorder, health problems and the negative impact it can have on the lives of children and young people.

“This is the third Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for County Durham and aims to build on the success of previous strategies.”

Cabinet members will be asked to endorse the strategy so that measures to tackle the problem can be put in place.