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Take binge drinking seriously, says Christian charity

Drugs education charity, Hope UK is calling on Christians to reassess their attitude on alcohol in light of a new Government report, which said up to 1.3 million children are affected by their parents’ drinking problems.

Director George Ruston said: “Churches throughout the UK should take Government concerns about binge drinking seriously.”

The study by the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit showed alcohol use costs the country £20 billion each year and 17 million working days are lost to hangovers and drink-related illness each year. The authors of the report have said that these figures may be a conservative estimate.

Better understanding is needed because many Christians never come face to face with the problems related to alcohol consumption. “After all,” says George Ruston, “we can’t escape from the fact that alcohol is a mind-altering drug which cannot help us to focus on the needs of others or our relationship with God.

“If churches are going to reverse the trend of losing young people, then they have to understand the competition for their time.

“The most important aspect of this is for churches to take a positive approach.”
Hope UK’s Live Life to the Full pack for church leaders allows "clear and balanced" consideration of what a church or Christian group might learn and do about local issues relating to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

For copies of Live Life to the Full contact Hope UK, 25(f) Copperfield Street, London SE1 0EN, or ring 020 7928 0848 or visit www.hopeuk.org

Involvement is a right, not a privilege

Disabled children and young people from The Children’s Society are calling on local authorities throughout the country to listen and learn about important issues that impact their lives.

As part of the European Commission’s European Year for People with Disabilities (EYPD) 2003, up to 200 young people, along with MPs and representatives from local authorities, will take part in a series of regional campaigns to highlight what life is like for disabled youth in Britain.

The first event took placel last week in West Sussex. Rob Penter, from The Children’s Society’s Participation, Advocacy and Rights project said: “It’s vital that people listen to and learn from the experiences of young disabled people. Being involved in decisions about our lives is a right, not a privilege.”

Call for youth sex education at seven described as 'deplorable’

The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) condemned the call by the Liberal Democrat party for children as young as seven to be subjected to compulsory sex education.

John Smeaton, SPUC national director, said: “This is a deplorable attack on parents, who should have responsibility for educating their children in human sexuality and who are the appropriate judges of what age their children should be protected from sexually explicit material.”

© Christian Family Network
is run by CPO, supported by
Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting,
Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.


		NEWS Take binge drinking seriously, says Christian charity Drugs education charity, Hope UK is calling on Christians to reassess their attitude on alcohol in light of a new Government report, which said up to 1.3 million children are affected by their parents’ drinking problems. Director George Ruston said: “Churches throughout the UK should take Government concerns about binge drinking seriously.” The study by the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit showed alcohol use costs the country £20 billion each year and 17 million working days are lost to hangovers and drink-related illness each year. The authors of the report have said that these figures may be a conservative estimate. Better understanding is needed because many Christians never come face to face with the problems related to alcohol consumption. “After all,” says George Ruston, “we can’t escape from the fact that alcohol is a mind-altering drug which cannot help us to focus on the needs of others or our relationship with God. “If churches are going to reverse the trend of losing young people, then they have to understand the competition for their time. “The most important aspect of this is for churches to take a positive approach.” Hope UK’s Live Life to the Full pack for church leaders allows "clear and balanced" consideration of what a church or Christian group might learn and do about local issues relating to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. For copies of Live Life to the Full contact Hope UK, 25(f) Copperfield Street, London SE1 0EN, or ring 020 7928 0848 or visit www.hopeuk.org Involvement is a right, not a privilege Disabled children and young people from The Children’s Society are calling on local authorities throughout the country to listen and learn about important issues that impact their lives. As part of the European Commission’s European Year for People with Disabilities (EYPD) 2003, up to 200 young people, along with MPs and representatives from local authorities, will take part in a series of regional campaigns to highlight what life is like for disabled youth in Britain. The first event took placel last week in West Sussex. Rob Penter, from The Children’s Society’s Participation, Advocacy and Rights project said: “It’s vital that people listen to and learn from the experiences of young disabled people. Being involved in decisions about our lives is a right, not a privilege.” Call for youth sex education at seven described as 'deplorable’ The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) condemned the call by the Liberal Democrat party for children as young as seven to be subjected to compulsory sex education. John Smeaton, SPUC national director, said: “This is a deplorable attack on parents, who should have responsibility for educating their children in human sexuality and who are the appropriate judges of what age their children should be protected from sexually explicit material.” © Christian Family Network is run by CPO, supported by Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting, Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.