More teens hospitalised by alcohol habits

Alcohol abuse and binge drinking is resulting in more and more youngsters being treated at accident and emergency departments in the county.

Last year, 507 people aged between 16 and 19 were treated in A&E at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, a rise of 180 from 2005.

The news comes as shock figures from Office for National Statistics show drink-related deaths among 15 to 34-year-olds have increased by almost 60pc since 1991. Some 198 men and 89 women in this age group died from alcohol poisoning or cirrhosis of the liver in 2004 with deaths reaching 8,221.

Out of the 507 A&E attendances in 2006, 46 patients were admitted with an alcohol-related illness such as liver poisoning, kidney disease or a mental disorder related to drinking heavily.

The number of under-18s in the Norfolk area seeking treatment for alcohol related health problems has leapt by 18pc in the past year and for adults has risen by 42pc.

Rick Andrews, service manager at Impact, which deals with many of the instances of drug and alcohol dependence in young people passing through the N&N, said it was dealing with more young people abusing alcohol, particularly young women.

He said: “We are seeing alcohol becoming more and more of a significant problem in children and we are seeing more young girls. Young people are using alcohol for a whole host of reasons, from losing weight to dealing with family problems.”

Last month, the Evening News reported how patients attending A&E with alcohol-related illnesses and injuries would be offered help if they were found to have a drinking problem.

The N&N launched a screening project in which patients are questioned to find out if they are drinking too much and offered help, treatment and advice if needed.

More than 72,000 people a year visit the A&E department and in about 40pc of cases alcohol is a factor. Children as young as 10 were being treated for alcohol-related illnesses at the hospital. A total 1,422 patients were treated for drink-related symptoms in the first four months of 2005 compared to 989 during the same period in 2004. Of these, 131 were underage drinkers and 71 had serious problems.

Evening News 24