Cross Rhythms website editor Heather Bellamy is a regular contributor for the local Sentinel newspaper's weekly faith column, Yours Faithfully. Each week a different leader from the local faith communities write the column. Check out what Heather has been saying to the fine people of North Staffordshire.

As a University student there were many evenings I went out binge drinking. For my friends and me the evening would usually start with a £1.99 bottle of wine each; then out we'd go to clubs and pubs. At that point in my life it never occurred to me to see alcohol as something to be enjoyed in moderation, it was simply a means to get legless and have a good night.

It was therefore with some concern that I read last week that 'binge-drinking teenagers could be doing lasting harm to their memories'! Commenting on the research, the NHS said 'such early damage may also underlie deficits in spatial learning and short-term memory'. Whether it's related or not, I definitely have difficulty with those two areas.

The concern over binge drinking heightened for me as I read about a teacher who fell to her death from a bridge after a drink binge. What can seem like a way to let off steam and have fun is reeking devastating consequences. In Britain alone the binge-drinking epidemic is taking more than £2.7billion a year out of the NHS for injuries and illness.

With statistics suggesting that binge drinking is up, rather than down, many are asking why Government hasn't been able to curb this epidemic, especially when changes to licensing were 'supposed' to create a café culture. Calls are now inevitably coming for a raise in the minimum price of alcohol. A health committee report has suggested that if the level were set at 50p a unit, it would save 3,000 people from liver disease and other fatal conditions.'

With such clear evidence and strong reporting of the problem of binge drinking, you'd be forgiven for thinking Government would stop at nothing to tackle this issue. However, it is concerning that the report went on to warn that 'government policies are more influenced by the drinks industry and supermarkets than expert health professionals.' In fact 'the drinks industry is dependent on hazardous and harmful drinkers for three-quarters of its sales and, if people drank responsibly, alcohol sales would plummet by 40%'. I guess taxes for Government would plummet too. As the Good Book so incisively comments 'the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil'. Because Jesus never came to be elected for anything or to win popularity contests, He's more direct with the truth of the effects of drunkenness and the need to turn away from it than most politicians are. In warning us not to get drunk, He linked it to unrestrained indulgence in physical pleasure; excessive expenditure and wastefulness and violence. If we're honest, we have to say He was right and that dealing with binge drinking would also deal with a lot of other societal problems.

However despite my concerns over motivation behind political decisions, I'm not sure the answer lies only with our MPs; what changed me was a change to my heart. Behind my binge drinking wasn't just a reckless teenager wanting fun, there were also painful memories that I was trying to get away from. When I encountered Jesus, my whole life was transformed; my soul and memories were healed; relationships restored and I no longer misused alcohol.

The amazing thing about Jesus is that He never condemns anyone, He speaks the truth in love; He was and still is a Friend of sinners like me. When He walked this earth He simply said: 'be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with drunkenness and the anxieties of life...come follow me and I will give you abundant life.'

As one who left all and followed - it's worth it!