A NORTH East health boss says experts are still trying to “fully understand” the reasons why the region has some of the highest levels of alcohol abuse.

Dr Meng Khaw, director of public health for North Tyneside Primary Care Trust (PCT), said he hoped a new public health debate, unveiled in The Journal on Tuesday, could help change attitudes towards excessive drinking.

Drinkers and tee-totallers alike are being asked to take part in the North East Big Drink Debate, which was launched this week by Balance – the country’s first ever regional alcohol office – and supported by The Journal.

The debate aims to provide a comprehensive study of the area’s attitudes towards, and relationships with, alcohol by encouraging members of the public to fill in a questionnaire

Dr Khaw said: “Reducing alcohol-related harm and encouraging sensible drinking is a key priority for the NHS.

“It’s well known that the North East has some of the highest levels of alcohol consumption in the country. We also have some of the highest levels of alcohol abuse.

“Alcohol-specific hospital admissions are up to 60% higher and alcohol-related hospital admissions are 35% higher in the North East than the national average.

“Drinking too much can put a serious strain on your body. It takes your liver an hour to process one unit of alcohol. So having two or three drinks an hour overloads your system – with resulting affects on your health.

“Regularly drinking more than the recommended number of units of alcohol over a long period can lead to complications including mouth and throat cancer, increased risk of heart disease and stroke, memory loss and brain damage and liver disease.