Plymouth has one of country's highest rates of under-18 hospital admissions for booze
A NEW report reveals Plymouth has among the country's worst rates of booze-related hospital admissions among under-18s.
Official figures published today show the shocking extent of the city's drink problem.
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Plymouth's Local Alcohol Profile reveals the city has 'significantly' high rates of underage hospital admissions due to drink-related conditions such as liver disease and alcohol overdose.
It also has high numbers of sexual offences and violent crime linked to booze.
The report estimates that in the last recorded year there were 4,766 hospital admissions for alcohol-related harm overall.
The news comes after The Herald joined emergency staff dealing with alcohol-related injuries and crime over Bank Holiday weekend.
Those on duty said drink has a "massive" impact on the city's health and resources.
Today's report, published on behalf of the Department of Health, shows Plymouth is significantly worse than the national average in 10 out of 23 categories.
The survey's authors state that nationally more than a quarter of drinkers exceed healthy limits every week, making us a nation of irresponsible boozers.
Medics in Plymouth have warned there are rising numbers of people with alcohol-related conditions such as liver disease.
As previously reported, Derriford Hospital is seeing about 150 new Plymouth patients with cirrhosis of the liver every year. About 60 per cent of cases are linked to alcohol.
Professor Mark Bellis, the national report's director, said: "We need to see the real cost of alcohol reflected in the price."
See tomorrow's Herald for report's full details and reaction.
12 Comments
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by Swaindog in denial, yorkshire
Thursday, September 02 2010, 3:28AM
“I feel outraged by this kind of behaviour. i know a group of lads who recently quoted "they had the time of there lives in cancun, mexico" but when asked about what they did they replied "got drunk" now i for one am appauled they seem to think that im jelous altough i am a bit i was only crying over the level of alcohol they had been drinking, truly ashamed!!”
by mike, Torquay
Thursday, September 02 2010, 2:59AM
“The govenment assisted drug in the headlines again ,great ! .”
by archie9310, st judes/7 seas
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 8:18PM
“I feel if the Plymouth Dome was still open it would all be alot better. I don't blame people for drinking. I was eating a pasty when a Pheasent that was hanging around the Sun dial struck me in the face and then ran in to Argos. I got drunk with children to numb the pain....... A clap of thunder.”
by GOM, Plymouth
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 7:18PM
“Totally agree with Harold King. This is significantly a local problem. The supermarkets are not to blame as their prices are national, not adversely effecting many other areas.
It is yet another example of TJ mentality, along with the racism and extreme violence.”
by Reformed Imbiber, Plymouth
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 4:26PM
“Comment for "don't penalise all for a few bad apples".
It is too late for me. I have cirrhosis and will die from it. I am one of the 500 new cases this year, I wa sonly asking about the other 40% of causes, because i never drank heavily.”
by harold king, plymouth
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 1:56PM
“I have said on more then a few occasions on here that Plymouth has big problems with the Cities under 18,s population when it comes to thuggery,drunkenness and teenage pregnancy.
Unfortunately some of the liberal idiots that frequent these forums choose defend these imbeciles and chastise me for my opinions.
So there you go here is the proof....he who laughs last and all that ;-)”
by harold king, plymouth
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 1:51PM
“i have said that this city HAS a big problem with teenage delinquents and pregnancy on more then one occasion and have been duly chastised by all the liberal idiots on here.
So there you go....here is my proof....her who laughs last and all that ;-)”
by don't penalise all for a few bad apples, plymouth
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 1:24PM
“Reformed Imbiber here we go lets stop everyone else who can drink responsibly by following the fruitless attempt to stop this teenage typical behaviour by putting up alcohol in supermarkets. Don't fall for the political hype you fool. If they want it they will get it at any price. Look a cigs and the cost this has not stopped people from smoking!”
by David, St Austell
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 1:16PM
“There are many factors in this.
Supermarkets for selling booze cheaply often below cost price.
The youth culture where they don't just go out for a drink they go intention of getting drunk.
The extended licencing hours have not helped they have merely excacerbated the problem.
Also most youths are living with their parents much longer due to the silly price of houses and so have much more spare cash.”
by Reformed Imbiber, Plymouth
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 12:54PM
“If 60% of Cirrhosis cases are alcohol related, what has caused the other 40%? Does it mean that any alcohol consumption can initiate it?
Tony Blair blames Gordon Brown and i blame the Labour Party for allowing Supermarkets to sell it cheaply.”