Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are planning to devise a strategy on alcohol use among veterans and serving personnel, and if so, when that strategy will be published.
Answered on
31 January 2017
The Government's alcohol strategy designed to address the binge drinking culture within the UK and reduce alcohol ill-discipline was published by the Home Office on 23 March 2012.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) already has a package of measures in place to discourage alcohol misuse in the Armed Forces including education, training, discipline and treatment. The Defence People Health and Wellbeing Strategy was published in July 2016 which includes a section on alcohol misuse and measures to reduce the consumption of alcohol in the Armed Forces.
More widely, the MOD has entered into partnerships with Public Health England as part of the 'One You' campaign and DrinkAware in their 'Have a Little Less, Feel a Lot Better' campaign. Both partnerships are designed to make everyone examine their lifestyle and make the changes necessary to live more healthily.
Whilst the MOD strategy is aimed at serving personnel the ultimate aim is for individuals to transition back in to the wider community in optimum mental and physical health.