North East Big Drink Debate shows scale of alcohol abuse

Oct 22 2009 by Helen Rae, The Journal

People responding to the survey said that the main motivations to drink alcohol are to relax, unwind and socialise.

Approximately seven in 10 of those who drink alcohol do so for these reasons.

However, one in four drink alcohol to forget their worries and younger people in the region are more likely to be motivated by more “negative” factors such as relieving boredom, to be given confidence and to get drunk.

For one in three, discounts and drink promotions would increase the amount of alcohol consumed and one in 10 said extended licensing hours would increase the amount consumed.

Health experts in the North East have urged supermarkets to stop selling cut-price drink to shoppers.

Liver specialist Dr Chris Record, from Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, believes alcohol is being sold at a “ridiculous” price.

The consultant said: “Alcohol consumption in the UK has been rising dramatically. You can get your recommended daily allowance of alcohol for the same price of a bag of crisps. It’s ridiculous.

“Pricing is an issue that must be addressed. People can currently buy one unit of alcohol for approximately 11p, which is far too low.

“I feel it should be priced at about 50p per unit.”

All the information gathered through the survey will be used to inform a State of the Region report, to be published later this year.

The report will inform an updated regional alcohol strategy designed to help people reduce their alcohol consumption. Colin Shevills, director of Balance, the North East alcohol office, said: “Overall, the results tell us that people across the North East are drinking too much.

“While this comes as no great surprise, it does highlight that if we want to improve the region’s health and reduce alcohol’s negative impact on our streets. We need to reduce the amount we are consuming.”