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The London Assembly are to investigate the extent of underage drinking and alcohol abuse by young Londoners.

The investigation, launched yesterday (Wednesday), will focus on the

underlying causes of alcohol misuse by young people and seek to make recommendations on how to tackle the problem.

The Assembly is calling people of all ages to send in their opinions and experiences.

Excessive drinking and alcohol-related hospital admissions by young people are a growing concern and among 35 European countries, the UK has the third highest proportion of 15 year olds (24 per cent) that have been drunk 10 times or more.

Alcohol abuse can lead to serious health and social problems with young people under the influence of alcohol more likely to have unsafe sex, injure themselves through taking risks, or end up in trouble with the police.

There are also strong links between patterns of drinking established as a teenager and alcohol dependency later in life that can lead to cirrhosis and liver disease.

Though there is already work being done in London to tackle alcohol misuse, there is no clear picture of just how big the problem is in the capital. The London Assembly committee will undertake in-depth data analysis and extensive engagement with young people that will be a valuable contribution to the debate.

Assembly Member James Cleverly, who is also Chair of the Health and Public Services Committee said: “Underage drinking and alcohol misuse by young people is already beginning to have serious repercussions on public health and young people’s life prospects, and will continue to do so for future generations unless something is done to tackle the problem.

“We know that 1603 young people were admitted to London hospitals with alcohol-specific problems last year, but this is likely to be just the tip of the iceberg. Our investigation will uncover the true scale of the problem, and I encourage Londoners to help us do that by sending us their views on this issue.”

Don Shenker, Chief Executive of Alcohol Concern said: “The Assembly’s decision to pursue a more detailed understanding of alcohol misuse by the capital’s youth is a timely one.

“For many young people experimentation with alcohol is a natural part of the transition into adulthood. Unfortunately, and for a complicated mix of reasons, youthful curiosity can sometimes give way to more harmful drinking patterns.

“By getting a street level sense of what motivates young Londoners to drink heavily we will be in a better position to plan a co-ordinated and effective response.”

Londra Gazete