Liverpool shamed in latest alcohol abuse report

Liverpool has been named and shamed as one of the worst regions for alcohol related illnesses in England.

In a damning report, released today by the North West Public Health Observatory, the City was shown to have the highest rate of alcohol related hospital admissions in both adults and under-18's.

Alcoholism in England is on the rise with 945,469 alcohol-related hospital admissions in 2008/09, this amounts to 825 more cases per-day than five years ago.

And the research outlined a worrying geographical divide in the impact alcohol is having on health in the country.

Two-thirds of the areas with the highest harm levels were in the North, Liverpool coming third in this list behind Manchester and Salford.

Dr Ruth Hussey, Regional Director of Public Health for the North West said the report is a stark reminder of the problems the area faces in its battle with alcohol abuse.

She said: "We are once again reminded of the terrible burden that the abuse of alcohol causes to residents of the North West through its affects of ill health and crime.

"Alcohol costs people their jobs, their health and their lives.

"We will continue to work to support our colleagues in local councils as they pioneer new methods to deal with the alcohol harm in their local communities."

Professor Mark Bellis, Director of the North West Public Health Observatory said that the 'poorest'people were being hit hardest by Britain's refusal to deal properly with binge-drinking culture.

He said: “The price we pay for turning a blind eye to the real extent of alcohol abuse across England is reflected in the new Local Alcohol Profiles for England and it is a price that is paid especially by the poorest communities.“

“It is time to recognise that we are not a population of responsible drinkers with just a hand full of irresponsible individuals ruining it for others.

“We need to see the real cost of alcohol reflected in the price it is sold at and the warnings about the dangers that alcohol represents not relegated to a tiny corner in alcohol adverts, but written large enough for people to recognise the seriousness of the risks.”

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