This is the time of year when people are tempted to drink too much. Tonight, with many starting a long Christmas holiday, the partying will begin. For many a good time will be had and no harm done. But for others, over-indulgence will lead to recriminations and regrets. There will be post-Christmas embarrassment and, in some instances, seasonal visits to the hospital or court appearances.

Alcohol can be a useful social lubricant. Consumed to excess, though, it can lead to loss of control and violence towards fellow drinkers or, in the home, to partners and terrified children. It can be a cause of accidents and fires which, in turn, can end in death or disability.

So the introduction just before Christmas of the Bradford Alcohol Strategy 2008-2011 is timely. Launched under the Safer Communities Partnership umbrella, its laudable long-term goal is to minimise the harm caused by the misuse of alcohol – a popular and relatively inexpensive drug which can take a terrible toll on individuals and their families and cost society as a whole a great deal of money.

One of its stated aims is “to reduce alcohol-related crime, disorder, intimidation, nuisance and anti-social behaviour, and ensure that everyone can enjoy all areas of the Bradford district without fear... ”.

That is something we should all support. We wish the initiative well and hope that the people of Bradford are quick to take its messages on board.