A WOMAN who has seen the suffering caused by alcoholism has slammed Government plans to curb binge-drinking for not going far enough.
Andrea Spencer, who spent five years caring for an alcoholic, has set up the charity, Beware, to educate children about the dangers of drinking.
She is campaigning for better awareness of the problems it can cause and wants a ban on daytime TV adverts for alcohol.
Mrs Spencer, aged 41, from Horwich, believes the Government measures are still inadequate.
Proposals announced in the Queen’s Speech on Wednesday included an end to “all you can drink” promotions, large servings of wine and supermarket multi-pack offers.
Anyone selling alcohol would also have to sign up to a compulsory code of conduct after a voluntary code failed.
Mrs Spencer said: “We have got to stop adverts for alcohol. We have got to start with children and educate them about drinking.
“The Government needs to go a lot further than it has done. It is not enough to tackle what is a massive problem in our society.
“Not enough is being done to raise awareness of the problems alcohol can cause — it is the worst kind of drug.”
The Government also says millions of pounds will be made available to deal with drink-related problems and underage drinking.
It plans to increase the maximum fine for being caught drinking in controlled areas from £500 to £2,500 and bring in a new offence of “persistently possessing alcohol in a public place” for under 18s. The current “three strikes” within three months rule for shopkeepers caught selling to underage drinkers would be changed to two strikes.
Bolton Primary Care Trust has welcomed the proposals, but also wants them to go further.
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