Children in Manchester at risk due to binge drinking culture

11.51.00am GMT Wed 9th Jan 2008

Cheap alcopops aimed at young people are part of the problem

John Leech, Liberal Democrat MP for Manchester Withington, has expressed his concern at the number of children admitted to A & E departments in Greater Manchester hospitals suffering from alcohol related problems.

A&E departments in hospitals in Greater Manchester dealt with 139 cases of children below the age of 14 who had consumed dangerous levels of alcohol in 2005-6, the period for which the latest figures are available.

This is the highest figure for any Health Authority area in England.

The figures came to light in a Parliamentary Question asked by Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Health, Norman Lamb MP.

John Leech MP said, "These are very worrying figures and a frightening sign of how out of control the binge drinking culture in this country has become.

"Problem drinking starts at an early age, yet the Government is failing to focus its resources on the young who are seriously at risk.

"As well as causing chaos in A&Es on Friday nights and anti-social behaviour, irresponsible drinking results in serious long-term health problems.

"A fresh look at tackling the growing problem of excessive drinking is long overdue. A good start would be cracking down on those shops that sell alcohol to underage children. We also need to consider putting a halt to supermarkets selling drinks at rock bottom prices - with no thought as to the knock on effects."

ENDS