Drinking trends among younger people 'a worry'

East Sussex has the highest rate of young people having treatment for alcohol in the South East, a new report claims.

And women across Surrey and Sussex consume more than any other region in the South East - a whopping nine units a week.

Men, meanwhile, drink on average 17 units a week - the second-highest level in the South East.

The report by the South East Public Health Observatory (SEPHO) concludes that people in the South East drink more often than almost any other region and significantly more than in London.

SEPHO director Dr Alison Hill said: "This report highlights some worrying trends in drinking patterns, especially among young people.

"Occasional drinking now appears to be the norm for 15 and 16-year-olds and binge-drinking in this age group is not uncommon.

"This casts a shadow over the future.

"It is likely that more people in this generation will develop alcohol-related health problems, and at a younger age, than their parents' generation.

"Consumption levels among women nationally and regionally are steadily rising - this will mean that, over time, more women will be affected by the many health and social problems associated with drinking."

The report suggests that the high levels of those seeking help for alcoholism in East Sussex may reflect better services available in the area as much as the amounts that local youngsters drink.

It recommends that binge-drinking among young people should be tackled, policies on alcoholism in the workplace should be introduced and extra treatment services should be provided.

Report author David Sheehan said: "Alcohol misuse is a significant problem in the region - commissioners of services, local partner-ships, public health professionals, employers, parents and individuals all have a role to play in tackling the issues."

ic Surrey Online