DRINKERS might have to pay more to help bar staff combat the effects of binge drinking. The money would be used to pay to train them how to deal more effectively with drunk and rowdy people.

As Prime Minister Tony Blair hit out at alcohol abuse as the ‘new British disease’ yesterday, Dr David Jeffs, the director of public health, agreed that binge drinking was a problem locally.

A States social policy working group was considering recommending the levy as part of research on a new drug and alcohol strategy.

Guernsey Licensed Victuallers’ Association president Cindy de Jersey said she did not believe increasing the cost of alcohol would stop binge drinking.

But Gadac director David Newman has backed the plans.

‘We fully support the use of direct taxation to fund existing services and alcohol initiatives,’ said Mr Newman.

‘I support the training of people in the alcohol industry and especially those who serve the public. This initiative would definitely be supported by Gadac and we would be more than happy to be involved in that sort of scheme.’

Mr Blair warned that unless more was done to combat problem drinking, the alcohol industry might be forced to pay for dealing with drunken behaviour.

A new UK survey showed 44% of victims of violent crime said their attacker was drunk and 70% of weekend casualty admissions were alcohol-related.

‘I think I would be surprised that in an affluent society like Guernsey, where some perceive that there is little to do, people didn’t follow the UK example with regards to binge drinking,’ said Dr Jeffs.

He said that heavy drinking was a problem for the whole of society and not solely the responsibility of those going into Town aiming to get drunk. People acted in a manner that was tolerated by society.

Guernsey published a draft alcohol strategy in November 2002, ahead of the UK. Since then, the working group has been considering a joint drug and alcohol strategy.

‘It was felt that the Guernsey alcohol strategy should be run in parallel with the drug one because they are dealing with the same people,’ said Dr Jeffs.

‘Alcohol effects the whole community and does not just relate to health problems, so it needs people in health, education and law enforcement.’

Dr Jeffs said that people working in pubs had a responsibility not to serve people who were visibly drunk but binge drinking was not just the responsibility of people in the drinks industry but society as a whole.

Therefore a small charge on alcoholic drinks could be justified if the proceeds went towards managing the effects on excess alcohol consumption.

‘Gadac welcomes the formulation of an alcohol strategy for the island and sees itself playing an integral part in its operation,’ said Mr Newman.

‘The model of using direct taxation proceeds has already been proven to work through the anti-smoking initiatives.’

Mrs de Jersey said that education was the answer.

‘People drinking to excess will carry on,’ she said. ‘I don’t think putting up the price of drink will solve the problem. Your binge drinkers are still there and will still binge drink, whatever the price.

‘Drinking should be more controlled and it should be down to the individual. If licensees can help with that I’m all for it.’