Thousands of schoolchildren in hospital with alcohol illnesses

Jan 15 2010 by Helen Rae, The Journal

THOUSANDS of children in the North East are ending up in hospital with alcohol-related illnesses.

New statistics published released yesterday show that as many as 3,307 people under the age of 18 are admitted to hospital each year in the region due to excessive alcohol consumption.

It comes as the Department for Children, Schools and Families launched its new alcohol campaign, which aims to get parents talking to their children earlier and more confidently about the risks associated with alcohol.

The national advertising campaign, which begins today, will highlight the fact that young people are far more vulnerable to unprotected sex and pregnancies, road traffic accidents and poor exam results if they regularly consume alcohol. Last night, health chiefs told of their concern at the Public Health Observatory statistics.

The hospital admissions include such issues as youngsters injuring themselves while drunk or needing to be monitored because they are violently ill.

The figures show that the worst-hit areas include Newcastle, with an average of 228 young people admitted to hospital each year.

In Sunderland, meanwhile, as many as 452 youngsters are admitted to local hospitals annually.

However, as the results do not include Accident and Emergency admissions, and focus primarily on North East cities, they do not illustrate the problem fully.

But Professor Stephen Singleton, the medical director at NHS North East, said: “We are seeing more young people admitted to hospital with alcohol-related problems in the North East and this is a major concern.

“An alcohol-free childhood is by far the healthiest option and it is vitally important that parents and carers guide young people appropriately so that they understand the health risks of excessive alcohol consumption and, most importantly, grow up to be responsible drinkers.”