Trouble with drink hurting thousands in Northumberland

Sep 6 2010 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal

THE full extent of problems caused by alcohol across Northumberland has been revealed in a report showing soaring levels of abuse.

Drinking and its consequences are “a major cause of concern across Northumberland”, according to a special report due to go before the county council today.

Over 11,500 people – 4.5% of the county population – are said to be boozing at “harmful” or “dependent” levels, while a further 50,000 (19.6%) are described as drinking to “hazardous” levels.

A quarter of under-16s are believed to take part in binge drinking and Northumberland now has one of the highest rates of alcohol-related hospital admissions, including youngsters, in the country.

A quarter of all arrested adults in Northumberland between 16 and 60 are arrested under the influence of alcohol.

The report, Needs Assessment for Alcohol Treatment and Prevention Services in Northumberland, comes from NHS North of Tyne Specialty Registrar in Public Health Craig Blundred.

It says there was a 72% rise in alcohol-related hospital admissions in the five years from 2002-03 and concludes: “This change would suggest that increasing numbers of people are drinking to harmful and hazardous levels in Northumberland.

“Health problems associated with alcohol have been steadily increasing with rises in hospital admissions for both alcohol-attributable and alcohol-related conditions.

“These rises are seen across Northumberland, with a particularly high rate in the south-eastern part of the county.

“This has not just affected adults, as the number of children admitted to hospital for alcohol-related conditions has also increased.”