UK NEWS
NHS BATTLING TO COPE WITH SURGE IN ALCOHOL ABUSE
By Victoria Fletcher, Health Editor
A HUGE rise in alcohol-linked hospital admissions was yesterday blamed on Britain’s binge drinking culture.
And children are in the front line with more than 5,200 admitted last year after drinking too much – up from 3,870 in 1997.
Official figures yesterday revealed more than 400 of the youngsters had suffered acute alcohol poisoning with the rest showing signs of mental and behavioural problems and even addiction.
Even more worrying was the discovery that more than half of the under-16s taken to hospital were girls.
A separate poll by the Trading Standards Institute found that thousands of teenage pupils binge drink at least once a week and more than half admit they have been violent when drunk.
For adults the official figures showed that last year more than 52,000 people were admitted to hospital for alcohol problems ranging from being drunk to suffering liver disease.
This figure was up by more than 50 per cent in only 10 years from just 34,600.
The statistics, released by the NHS Information Centre, show Government attempts to educate the public are having little impact. More than half of adults admitted they had no idea what a safe intake of alcohol is, with the majority of these saying they did not even know there were official guidelines on the subject.
The figures also revealed that almost one in four men drank more than the recommended limit of 21 units a week – with six per cent admitting it was over 51 units. Last night there were calls for the Government to take immediate action.
Professor Ian Gilmore, president of the Royal College of Physicians, said: “The doubling in alcohol-related hospital admissions over a decade is both stark and frightening, but it chimes with physicians’ everyday clinical experience.
“While statistics on heart disease and cancer improve, health damage from alcohol stands out uniquely in getting worse.”
He said that NHS alcohol services were “woefully inadequate” and called for increased taxation on drink to fund them.
According to the Government, alcohol misuse cost the NHS up to £1.7billion a year. And the cost of drinking has plummeted with alcohol “65 per cent more affordable” last year than in 1980.
Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: “The new figures are of concern, especially regarding young girls. Parents should be more aware and more active in controlling under-age alcohol use.”
Doctors have even reported young people suffering major strokes after becoming dehydrated following drinking sessions.
Delegates at the British Medical Association’s annual conference in Torquay, Devon, voted in favour of banning drinking in the streets. They also called for a new tax linked to the amount of alcohol contained in drink.
Video 
NHS BATTLING TO COPE WITH SURGE IN ALCOHOL ABUSE
27.06.07, 12:19pm
Isn't it interesting to see that now the health zealots have got their was with their anti-smoking campaign, how they are now quickly turning their attention to alcohol.
When they eventually tax this (and most pubs) out of existence, I wonder what they will then turn their attention too.
Obesity, via a purge on various food types,is waiting in the wings.
Goodbye sausage, fish and chips and the traditional full English breakfast.
Oh for the good old days when you you could enjoying your life without being made to feel guilty about almost everything you do (and say).
• Posted by: joeking • Report Comment
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