Alcohol Policy UK

Wales: highest levels of teenage drinking in Europe - reactions to new report

County MP Stephen Crabb has called on the Government and the drinks industry to "get a grip" as shocking new figures reveal that Wales has the highest levels of teenage drinking in Europe. Research carried out by the University of Edinburgh indicated that more than a quarter of 13-year-olds in Wales had been drunk at least twice. And the stats came as it was revealed that police and PCSOs in Broad Haven recently confiscated more than 150 bottles and cans of alcohol, plus litres and litres of spirits, cider and wine from under-age drinkers in a single night. A group of youngsters had gathered for what was believed to be a post exam party earlier this month.  Western Telegraph

According to Wales Online, the Western Mail has previously reported that one child under eight is being admitted to a Welsh hospital almost every month after drinking alcohol. And accident and emergency experts said they were seeing increasing numbers of pre-teens and young teenagers needing treatment for alcohol use and for injuries sustained while drunk. The University of Edinburgh findings confirm anecdotal evidence that some 12 and 13-year-olds are getting drunk up to twice a week on alcohol. Often it is stolen from their parents or bought by older teens.

Jenny Randerson, the Welsh Liberal Democrats’ health spokeswoman, who uncovered the hospital statistics, said:

This underlines the desperation of the situation and the need for a series of measures – not just educational – that need to be taken in order to deal with this problem. We need co-operation between the educational authorities, local authorities and the police. The Assembly Government must also take the lead in providing the strategies and resources which will make it work.

The findings of the study, compiled by the University of Edinburgh in partnership with the World Health Organisation, were based on interviews with 240,000 schoolchildren, aged 11, 13 and 15.

Read Inequalities in Young People's Health online.

Alcohol-related DV patrols for Rugby World Cup - Wales

Police are launching patrols in the south Wales valleys during the Rugby World Cup to allow them to respond quickly to domestic violence.  Specialist officers will be in vehicles on match days in Blaenau Gwent and Caerphilly county.

Det Insp Bill Davies, who is co-ordinating the initiative, said the officers would be on hand to offer extra support to colleagues dealing with incidents of domestic abuse. He said the previous campaign had shown that "early intervention is key". He said:

"On match days domestic violence incidents peaked earlier in the day, around 8pm, whilst on non-match days such incidents heightened around 11pm - midnight.

"Such initiatives have proven successful when run previously, at specific times of the year, when it's anticipated there will be an increase in factors that can sometimes lead to domestic abuse, such as alcohol and debt."

Domestic violence Police say domestic abuse peaks at about 8pm on rugby match days The assembly-funded Wales Domestic Abuse Helpline said one in four women in Wales would be a victim of domestic abuse by their partner or ex-partner at some time in their life.
The helpline's Tracey Owens said:

"Although our calls do not rise significantly on the days when there are big sporting events, this does not mean that domestic abuse incidents are not on the increase during this time, when there is a likelihood of increased alcohol consumption.

"Although I would point out that alcohol is by no means an excuse for domestic abuse, if there are already issues within a domestic relationship then they can be exacerbated with alcohol."

The helpline, aimed at men, women or children suffering domestic abuse, was launched in 2004. It is now a 24-hour operation and received 13,500 calls in the 12 months to April this year. The Wales Domestic Abuse Helpline is on 0808 80 10 800  BBC News

BMA Wales calls for action on alcohol

A range of proposals to tackle Wales' "growing drink problem" have been put forward by doctors' leaders. The British Medical Association (BMA) in Wales wants an increase in taxation on alcoholic drinks, proportionate to the strength of the product.

It also wants to see local schemes rolled out nationwide to outlaw the drinking of alcohol on the streets. The BMA said politicians in Westminster and Cardiff Bay needed to co-operate on a new set of policies. A spokesperson for the Welsh Assembly Government said there was no single solution to this "complex issue".

Dr Richard Lewis, secretary of BMA Wales said: "After smoking, alcohol is the next big public health issue."

The BMA's four point plan:

• An end to deep discounting of alcohol sold in off licences and supermarkets.
• Research into how pricing mechanisms can be used in Wales to discourage heavy consumption of high alcohol products
• Legislate for alcohol labelling rather than relying on voluntary agreements with the drinks industry
• Reduce the drink-drive limit from 80mg to 50mg and introduce random breath testing in Wales

BBC News

Alcohol misuse costs Wales £1bn a year

• Booze binges cost Wales £1bn a year, according to a report by health chiefs. The study by the Directors of Public Protection Wales, a body made up of public health chiefs on Wales’ 22 regional councils, says the harmful effects of over-drinking show no sign of abating as Wales has the highest rate of underage drinking among 11-15-year-olds in the EU.

It also blames drink for 1,000 premature deaths each year. The £1bn total is made up of:

• Lost hours in the workplace, £320m
• Drink related crime and disorder, £365m
• Healthcare costs, £85m
• Social costs of 1,100 premature deaths a year and dealing with family break-ups, £230m.

The report estimates the cost of a person being punched by a drunk and needing hospital treatment is £20,950.

The Directors of Public Protection Wales are now calling on licensees, the police, health authorities and local councils to work together change people's drinking behaviour. It wants more alcohol prohibition zones to stop people drinking in the street. The report also points out that the drinks industry supports 50,000 jobs in Wales and leads to £350m a year going to the Exchequer in excise duty.  Morning Advertiser

Download Addressing Alcohol Misuse Issues by the Directors of Public Protection Wales (2006)