Alarm over rise in alcohol abuse

The extent of alcohol abuse in England is spelt out today in a report that presents an alarming picture.

Beer and alcopops are the drinks of choice for 11- to 15-year-olds

Admissions to hospital with alcoholic liver disease have risen by 21,000 in 10 years and liver disease deaths have risen by a third in five years. Alcohol poisoning has doubled and drink-related admissions are at record levels.

More worrying still, the thirst for alcohol begins at an early age. Almost one in four children aged 11-15 said they had drunk alcohol in the previous week.

The statistics, from the Information Centre for Health and Social Care, an independent body that collates data for the Government, are embarrassing to ministers following their decision to allow 24-hour drinking despite warnings by the police, judiciary and the medical profession.

The report comes hours before England fans celebrate or commiserate with large quantities of alcohol after the World Cup quarter finals.

It shows the number admitted to hospital with alcoholic liver disease in 2004-5 was 35,400, up from 14,400 in 1995-96. Twice as many men as women were admitted with the illness.

Death rates linked to alcoholic liver disease have also risen to more than 4,000 in 2004, a 37 per cent increase since 1999.

In-patient care for people who have mental health or behavioural disorders related to alcohol has risen by 75 per cent in 10 years. Hospital admissions of patients with alcoholic poisoning also increased, to 21,700 in 2004-05 compared to 13,600 a decade earlier.

Cider, lager, beer and alcopops are the alcoholic drinks of choice for 11- to 15-year-olds, with the average amount consumed doubling between 1990 and 2000 to 10.4 units a week.

But Britain occupies a "middle position" when European Union countries are ranked according to average alcohol consumption.

World Health Organisation figures for 2001 show Luxembourg heading the consumption table, with residents drinking an average of 17.5 litres of alcohol a year, compared with Britain's 10.4 litres.

Prof Denise Lievesley, the chief executive of the Information Centre, said: "We cannot underestimate the effect of alcohol on health."

A Department of Health spokesman said: "Alcohol misuse has a devastating effect on millions of lives each year.

"That is why we are working with the drinks industry, police and health professionals to increase awareness of the dangers of excessive drinking and make the sensible drinking message easier to understand.

"We will be launching a joint campaign with the Home Office later this year to promote sensible drinking among young people."

Telegraph