Drink Sensibly and Be Safe

Alcohol Awareness Campaign

Lewisham Council wants all of its residents to enjoy the summer in a sensible and safe manner.Sometimes drinking can lead to people partying to excess, which for some means that they won’t be as safe as they would if they were sober. Learn more about harmful drinking levels, where you can go for help if you are concerned about drink or drug use either yourself or someone you know and information about public safety issues, including domestic violence and support services that you can access.

Alcohol

Alcohol plays an important part in society and many people in Lewisham will participate in socialising with or drinking sensible amounts of Alcohol. Drinking unsafe levels of Alcohol can have life altering consequences on your life, your friends and families lives and could also result in trouble with the police, as Alcohol can make people more violent & aggressive, more likely to commit a crime and impairs self control and judgement.

Being intoxicated means people are more vulnerable to being a victims of crime, including having their personal possessions stolen i.e. mobile phones, being physically or even sexually assaulted. Antisocial behaviour such as being ‘Drunk & Disorderly’ including urinating in the street, could also result in police action such as an £80 fine or a night in the police station.

Below lists some helpful tips to help keep Lewisham residents safe and sensible during the summer of sporting events:

  • Know your limits and drink sensibly - Stop when you know you have had enough
  • Alcohol can still be enjoyed, if safe drinking levels are maintained, Alcohol Free Drinks/Cocktails and even low Alcohol Drinks can be enjoyed as an alternative
  • Drink more slowly and consume alcohol with food
  • Don’t Drink & Drive, leave the car at home and use public transport or licensed taxi
  • Look after your friends and make sure you all have a way to get home safely i.e. licensed taxi’s
  • Avoid fights & confrontations – walk away if arguments become heated or you feel threatened

CRI New Direction delivers drug and alcohol support services in the borough on behalf of the Council. CRI offers free, confidential advice, information and treatment for people and their families affected by alcohol and substance misuse. If you are concerned about yourself or someone else contact 020 8314 5566.

For more information about safer drinking go to

You can also call the Lewisham Drug and Alcohol Action Team on 020 8314 8226 in confidence for more information.

Domestic Violence

Lewisham Council takes domestic violence extremely seriously. By working together with a range of expert servicesand specialist services, the Councilcan provide enhanced housing and social services support for victims experiencing or fleeing domestic violence.

For further information, advice and ways to get help, please visitLewisham Councils website: