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All Things Considered

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Religious affairs programme, tackling thorny issues in a thought-provoking manner

Religious affairs programme, tackling the thornier issues of the day in a thought-provoking manner

All Things Considered: Alcohol

Alcohol

BBC Radio Wales - All Things Considered, Alcohol

In Sober October, Roy Jenkins and guests examine our changing relationship with alcohol.

In what's been dubbed 'Sober October', Roy Jenkins and guests examine our changing relationship with alcohol, as young people across the UK are drinking less than ever before.

Young people across the UK are drinking less alcohol, and research is showing that many are never starting.   According to data on the last decade, abstinence is becoming ‘more mainstream.’

The abuse of drink continues to be a problem for many, however.   The charity Alcohol Concern is sponsoring an Alcohol Awareness Week next month, while a cancer charity is already promoting “Sober October”.

The Welsh government’s minimum pricing comes into force next year as Wales tops binge drinking tables, with almost one person in seven taking a week’s recommended number of alcohol units in a single day.   And many working in the field are concerned about the hidden drinking that doesn’t make the statistics.

Wales has had a complex relationship with alcohol: on the one hand the wariness reflected in tight licensing hours and the former ban on Sunday opening of pubs, and on the other a sporting culture which lubricates both triumph and failure with plenty of beer.

Joining Roy today to discuss changing attitudes to alcohol are four guests with distinctive perspectives on where alcohol sits in today’s society.

Sean Stillman is the minister at Zac’s Place in Swansea, an alternative church community which is well used to welcoming people struggling with alcohol; Wynford Ellis Owen, who describes himself as a recovering alcoholic, established the Living Room Cardiff, a community based addiction recovery centre; James Karran is a Baptist Minister and also since last year a publican: he runs the St Canna tavern in Cardiff; and Andrew Misell is the director of Alcohol Concern Cymru.

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