Written question WQ96033

Our approach to tackling alcohol (and drug) misuse encompasses prevention, treatment, and recovery support, focusing on improving health outcomes and overall reducing harm. Our aim is to ensure people in Wales are aware of the dangers and impact of alcohol misuse and know where they can seek information, help and support.

We are working with health boards and our Area Planning Boards to ensure a range of services and support are in place to support people who are experiencing alcohol problems. This includes investing in outreach services to engage the most vulnerable, including people who are drinking harmfully. We have maintained our budget for substance misuse at more than £67m in 2025-26.

DAN24/7 is a free bilingual helpline, funded by the Welsh Government, providing a single point of contact for anyone in Wales to seek further information or help relating to drugs or alcohol. We also support Alcohol Change UK to promote responsible drinking and reduce alcohol harms though their education programmes, and their work to support people to reduce their alcohol consumption. In 2025-26 Alcohol Change will work to prevent deaths by suicide among alcohol-dependent drinkers in Wales through training and peer support for those at risk.

We continue to promote the low-risk drinking guidelines by UK Chief Medical Officers and we encourage all people to make healthy choices, drink responsibly and reduce their alcohol consumption.

Finally, we introduced minimum unit pricing for alcohol five years ago to help reduce alcohol-related harm by targeting low-cost, high-strength products.