COUNCIL bosses are encouraging residents across the borough to take part in Dry January - a scheme to get drinkers to go a whole month without drinking alcohol.
Research shows that about 20 per cent of people who drink alcohol are planning to take on Dry January next month, with last year’s figures showing that 70 per cent of those who took on the challenge were still drinking less six months later.
Coun Jim Andrews, cabinet spokesperson for public health, said: “We’re proud to support Dry January for 2021 as it continues to go from strength-to-strength, year-on-year.
“Research has shown that levels of drinking have increased in 2020 due to the well-documented stresses caused by the pandemic.
“The turn of the year is a great time to make positive changes, and that includes reducing alcohol consumption.
“The health benefits are fantastic, and, now more than ever, it’s really important that we’re looking after ourselves.
“If people do feel like they have a problem with alcohol, or are becoming alcohol dependent, help is available from Barnsley Recovery Steps, our commissioned support service.”
