CUT-PRICE DRINK OFFER TO HOMELESS ALCOHOLICS

Alcohol awareness groups are concerned by a council's proposals to provide
cheap drink in welfare centres to keep addicts off the streets.

Several "wet centres" already operate around the country, but Camden
council in London could break new ground by allowing the clubs to sell
discounted beer and lager to alcoholics, instead of letting them bring
drink in. They are to discuss possible sponsorship deals with breweries.

Research found many street drinkers were not homeless, but chose to meet in
the open air because they could not afford pub prices and did not want to
drink alone.

But campaigners fear that discounts could encourage the users to drink more
and would represent a disturbing link between commercial considerations and
the needs of addicts, although the council says alcohol will be no cheaper
than it is in shops.

"We're not trying to encourage anyone to drink, certainly not to excess,"
said Julian Fulbrook, chairman of the council's social services committee.

"But we have to have a practical viewpoint on people whose lives are being
wrecked by drinking out in the open and causing quite a serious nuisance. A
lot of our council tax payers are not particularly happy about street drinkers.

"If they come inside we can provide them with some medical attention,
housing and benefits advice and, if they want to take advantage of it, we
can set them on the road to alcohol recovery."

Street drinkers are at risk from attacks which can be a drain on police,
ambulance and council time, he said.

The council had discussed entering a sponsorship deal with breweries. "We
have made a few connections but we haven't really got too far... We will be
interested in any support we can get, from breweries and elsewhere."

The council has proposed that three centres could be set up in central
London, Kilburn and Camden itself, possibly in former pubs. It is thought
they could be the first in the country to be run by a local authority.

While welcoming the project as a whole, Alcohol Concern's director, Eric
Appleby, said: "I would have reservations about flogging booze to alcoholics.

"If the industry were to get involved in helping people with drink problems
I would much rather see them provide money or facilities."

Elizabeth Smith, chief executive of the Alcohol Information Centre in
Manchester, said: "We applaud the idea of the centre. There is a major
problem with homeless drinkers who are in poor physical health and are
desperately in need of a safe environment.

"They are not at a stage where they are ready to give up drinking - but if
you get them into that environment it's amazing what you can do. These
centres are sometimes the first step on the ladder towards rehabilitation."

But she was concerned about subsidised alcohol: "The last thing you want to
do is encourage them to drink more by subsidising the beer.

"I'm all for the breweries putting their hands in their pockets to help
provide social and health care, but I don't agree with that at all."

Bruce Ritson of the Royal Edinburgh hospital's alcohol problem clinic
agreed: "I would much rather see them providing soft drinks as an
alternative to alcohol."