RICHMONDSHIRE residents are being urged to be ‘drinkaware’ as part of a national campaign in the lead up to the festive season.

‘Alcohol and Me’ is the theme for 2019’s annual Alcohol Awareness Week which aims to get people thinking about how much they drink – and how that might affect their lives and health.

Alcohol misuse is the biggest factor of death, ill health and disability among 15 to 49-year-olds and the fifth biggest risk across all ages – with 24 per cent of adults admitting they regularly drink over the Chief Medical Officers guidance.

Richmondshire District Council is backing the campaign to help people think about safer levels of drinking as Deputy Leader, Councillor Helen Grant, explained: “We are not telling people not to drink, but to think about how much they drink on a regular basis and how that might be affecting their home, work and social life.

“Everyone will say drinking too much isn’t good for you, but how much is too much?

"During this campaign week our community safety team will be issuing ‘drinkable’ glasses and ‘rethink your drink’ scratch cards which give a clear indication of just how much that glass of wine, whisky or beer costs in terms of units and calories.”

The national campaign has a series of fact sheets available which cover the effect of alcohol on everything from cancer and diabetes to the heart, brain and sex.

It can be accessed at alcoholchange.org.uk