ALCO-TOTS
ABOVE: There are 33 boozed-up children are admitted to hospital in England every day of the year These figures are disturbing evidence that, despite total consumption of alcohol not increasing recently, we have serious problems with both binge drinking and long-term excessive alcohol abuse in a minority of people Health Secretary Andrew Lansley
11th December 2011 By John Ward
A STAGGERING 33 boozed-up children are admitted to hospital in England every day of the year.
Damning NHS figures reveal 7,034 under-18s were treated for alcohol-related problems in the first half of 2011 alone.
The sobering statistics expose the extent that children – many as young as ten – are drinking to dangerous levels.
They also show that the worst part of the country for binge-drinking kids is the North-West.
A total of 137 youngsters were admitted to hospitals in Bury, Oldham, Rochdale and North Manchester. Hospitals in East Lancashire recorded 110 cases with 95 in central Manchester.
Leeds is also a blackspot with 111 admissions to the city’s hospitals.
Treating underage drinkers in hospitals is costing the NHS in England alone £19million a year.
And the UK also has the highest rate of teenage alcohol-related injuries in Europe
Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, from campaign group Alcohol Health Alliance UK, said parents should do more to stop their kids drinking.
He said: “We know that heavy drinking from an early age can diminish the life chances of the young person involved. It is important parents realise they are role models. “Their behaviour in relation to alcohol has more impact than what they tell their children.”
A Schools Health Education Unit study this year found 4% of the 12 and 13-year-olds quizzed drank 28 or more units of alcohol a week. Three units is a pint of strong lager or cider. The Department of Health is cracking down on underage booze sales and doubling the maximum fine to £20,000.
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: “These figures are disturbing evidence that, despite total consumption of alcohol not increasing recently, we have serious problems with both binge drinking and long-term excessive alcohol abuse in a minority of people.
ABOVE: There are 33 boozed-up children are admitted to hospital in England every day of the year These figures are disturbing evidence that, despite total consumption of alcohol not increasing recently, we have serious problems with both binge drinking and long-term excessive alcohol abuse in a minority of people Health Secretary Andrew Lansley
11th December 2011 By John Ward
A STAGGERING 33 boozed-up children are admitted to hospital in England every day of the year.
Damning NHS figures reveal 7,034 under-18s were treated for alcohol-related problems in the first half of 2011 alone.
The sobering statistics expose the extent that children – many as young as ten – are drinking to dangerous levels.
They also show that the worst part of the country for binge-drinking kids is the North-West.
A total of 137 youngsters were admitted to hospitals in Bury, Oldham, Rochdale and North Manchester. Hospitals in East Lancashire recorded 110 cases with 95 in central Manchester.
Leeds is also a blackspot with 111 admissions to the city’s hospitals.
Treating underage drinkers in hospitals is costing the NHS in England alone £19million a year.
And the UK also has the highest rate of teenage alcohol-related injuries in Europe
Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, from campaign group Alcohol Health Alliance UK, said parents should do more to stop their kids drinking.
He said: “We know that heavy drinking from an early age can diminish the life chances of the young person involved. It is important parents realise they are role models. “Their behaviour in relation to alcohol has more impact than what they tell their children.”
A Schools Health Education Unit study this year found 4% of the 12 and 13-year-olds quizzed drank 28 or more units of alcohol a week. Three units is a pint of strong lager or cider. The Department of Health is cracking down on underage booze sales and doubling the maximum fine to £20,000.
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: “These figures are disturbing evidence that, despite total consumption of alcohol not increasing recently, we have serious problems with both binge drinking and long-term excessive alcohol abuse in a minority of people.
