The National Family and Parenting Institute (NFPI) and Alcohol Concern jointly launched a booklet, Putting the Children First, aimed at helping families cope with the problems of heavy drinking. It points out that marriages where one or both partners have an alcohol problem are twice as likely to end in divorce.
NFPI chief executive Mary MacLeod said, 'The harm that heavy drinking can do to family life cannot be overstated, but there is much that parents can do to help themselves and help their children to cope.'
The latest figures produced by Alcohol Concern reveal that:
* Alcohol is involved in a third of child abuse cases and 40 per cent of incidents of domestic violence;
* Six million men and 3.5 million women drink over the safe limits each week;
* Each week 1.7 million men and more than half a million women drink at dangerous levels.
Alcohol Concern director Eric Appleby said, 'Research shows that long-term harm can be avoided if certain steps are taken and we think it is vital that this information is put directly into the hands of the parents themselves - they are in the best position to protect their children.'
The booklet suggests ways drinking parents can minimise the effects on their children. It urges parents to 'try to talk with friends and relatives so that children have another place to go or someone to phone if they are worried'. When they are sober, parents should discuss the problem with their children, who often feel it is their fault if their parents drink too much.
A free copy of the booklet is available by sending an SAE to NFPI Publications, 430 Highgate Studios, 53-79 Highgate Road, London NW5 1TL or from the websites www.nfpi.org and www.alcoholconcern.org.uk.