Banned boozers attend alcohol awareness course

Revellers banned from Swansea City Centre for alcohol-related offences are opting to attend an alcohol awareness course. In return for attending the Tackling Alcohol – Safer Communities (TASC) course, run by West Glamorgan Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (WGCADA), participants can potentially halve the length of their exclusion from around 50 pubs and clubs.

The incentive is being offered by Safer Swansea’s Business Crime Reduction Partnership – who run the Exclusion Scheme – in an attempt to reduce the risk of re-offending.

Norma Thomas, BCRP Coordinator, said: “The Safer Swansea Partnership wants people to enjoy themselves but it must be responsibly.

“We are offering those banned from city centre night-time venues the opportunity to reduce their ban and in return they will be taught about alcohol use awareness which will reduce the risk of re-offending.” TASC was launched in September 2011. It was initially offered to offenders who received Fixed Penalty Notices in Swansea with the incentive of reducing their fine if they attend. The scheme has now expanded to include those who receive Fixed Penalty Notices in Neath, Port Talbot as well as those who receive an exclusion.

The aim of the three-hour course is to increase awareness of alcohol use and learn about the health, social and legal implications of excessive alcohol use. At the end of the course participants have gained an understanding about:

• What alcohol is • How alcohol affects society (facts and figures)

• How alcohol is measured

• Guidelines for safer drinking

• The Alcohol Industry

• Effects of alcohol (short term and long term)

• Types of drinkers

• Potential consequences of alcohol misuse including offending behaviour

• Safer drinking advice

Lisa Shipton, WGCADA, said: “TASC is designed to give participants factual information about alcohol, your behaviour under the influence of alcohol and how to make informed decisions on drinking habits and how to reduce the risk of re-offending.”

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