Norfolk & Norwich Hospital Admit 33 Under-18s Last Year for Alcohol Related Illness

8.24.00pm GMT Sun 9th Nov 2008

The Norfolk & Norwich hospital is admitting under-18s for alcohol related reasons on average once every eleven days, according to figures released by the Liberal Democrats.

The Party's figures also reveal that nationally a child under 10 is admitted to A&E because of alcohol every 72 hours.

The Liberal Democrats will launch their strategy to tackle underage and binge drinking tomorrow (Monday). A survey published this summer by Simon Wright, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Norwich South, revealed that four out of five publicans in Norwich have no confidence in the Government's approach to tackling binge drinking.

The latest figures, contained in a Parliamentary answer, also showed in the last five years nationally:

· 24,000 admissions of children under 16 for alcohol-related reasons, a 17% increase over the last five years

· 13,000 admissions of young people aged 16-17 to A&E for alcohol-related reasons, a 95% increase over the last five years

· 640,000 admissions of over-18s to A&E for alcohol-related reasons, an 80% increase over the last five years

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Norwich South, Simon Wright said:

"It is outrageous that so many children and young people are being admitted to A&E because of alcohol abuse."

"Despite the binge-drinking culture among young people being such a high profile concern, the Government has completely failed to tackle the issue."

"There needs to be an urgent review of the Government's approach to ensure that children do not grow up drinking to excess."

"Alcohol has become too freely available for children. Prices have in many cases fallen, with major supermarkets even selling below cost. While the supermarkets are working hard to make sure they're not selling to under-age customers, the fact that alcohol is so cheap means that there's a lot of it around. Irresponsible selling practice by retailers must be tackled, and the Government should introduce minimum pricing of alcohol."