40% INCREASE IN CHILD HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS DUE TO BOOZE ABUSE IN 2 YEARS - TEATHER

11.43.37am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 11th Mar 2005

Sarah Teather MP

Liberal Democrat London Spokesperson, Sarah Teather MP, today revealed new figures that show the number of children admitted to hospital because of alcohol related problems in the capital has rocketed by 42% in the last 2 years.

The figures, revealed in a Parliamentary answer to the Liberal Democrats, show that in 2001-02 in London Boroughs there were 309 cases of children admitted to hospital because of alcohol related problems. By 2003-04, this had increased to 438.

The figures from the Liberal Democrats are revealed in the same week that the Government's own figures show that one in five children between the age of 11 and 15 drink regularly and that the average weekly intake of alcohol amongst these children is around 11 units.

Sarah Teather MP said:-

"These figures are shocking. If the Government can't enforce the current rules to stop children drinking themselves into hospital, how will they cope with 24 hour drinking?

"We have generations of children growing up thinking that drinking to excess is normal. Is it any wonder that they continue to do so once they are legally able to buy drink?

"Too many Londoners are afraid to walk through open spaces because of gangs of youths drinking themselves senseless. The culture of binge drinking amongst young people must stop.

"Binge drinking has major implications for children's health, as well as often leading to anti-social behaviour. More action is required from the police and local authorities to enforce the rules on selling alcohol to children. Children also need to be taught in the classroom about the harmful health effects of alcohol."