Deaths from Alcohol Related Problems have Doubled in UK
The Government has released figures that were published by the Office for National Statistics, stating that the number of people dying from related alcohol problems has more than doubled over the past 15 years in the UK. These have risen from 4,144 in 1991 to 8,758 in 2006.
Alcohol related death rates in men for 2006 was 18.3 per 100,000. This was more than doubled for women with figures of 8.8 deaths per 100,000. Research figurines state that both middle aged male and females is the largest rise in alcoholic deaths over the past 15 years.
A spokesman for the charity Alcohol Concern said: "We are particularly concerned that, for the second year in a row, the biggest rise in deaths has been among men aged 35 to 54. And that female mortality has virtually doubled.
"It appears that for a number of younger people who came of age at a time when heavy drinking became increasingly common, the negative consequences are emerging at ever-earlier stages”.
"Beyond labelling issues and information campaigns, it is vital that the government finally starts investing more in alcohol treatment to help problem drinkers address these issues before the situation becomes irretrievable." he added.
Casual alcoholism has hit the British population and the rise with women dying from liver failure and cirrhosis within the UK is well above any European averages. Women in the 35-54 age group seem to be one of the highest statistics. In the 70’s death rates for men and women were only about two per 100,000 and the UK was then the lowest in western Europe.
While the UK does not consume as much alcohol as France, Ireland or Spain, the deaths rates from alcohol related diseases are far higher – which points at the UK’s problem of binge drinking and casual alcoholism.
With the introduction of cheap ‘booze’ in the supermarkets as well as longer opening hours of pubs and off-licences, people have more time to buy and drink alcohol. Unfortunately the younger generation are only too keen to see how many drinks they can consume in one evening, even though it may take a weeks wages and a 24 hour hangover! Never mind the health aspect and long term damage to the liver.
Government and Police
Gordon Brown has made curbing alcohol abuse one of his top priorities, ordering a review of the rules allowing 24 hours opening of pubs and drink shops. Shop owners and licensee’s who sell alcohol to underage drinkers are being clamped down on and publicans are being warned they could be prosecuted if they carry on serving drinks to a person who is clearly well over the limit.
After a police operation in Livingston last week three shopkeepers have been reported with selling alcohol to a 16 year old. A volunteer ‘test purchaser’ managed to buy drink from them all.
During the same operation, officers had to take youths aged between 13 and 15 back to the police station who were under the influence of alcohol One of the 13 year olds was so drunk and incapable they had to take him to the hospital.
What Can Be Done?
These figures are certainly worrying and it goes without saying that something needs to be done to educate the young from binge drinking before it becomes too late for so many in this next generation of ours!
Cutting back or stopping cheap promotions and irresponsible advertising may already be too late. Increasing the price of alcohol and reducing its availability will have those that are sensible drinkers angry as to why they should pay more and be restricted.
Where does it start though? Should it be with the Government, the schools or the home? Probably all three is a good start with clear and effective health warnings, making them fully aware alcohol related illnesses are soon to be top of the list for people dying in the UK!
The Liberal Democrat health spokesman, Norman Lamb, accused the government of failing to tackle problem drinking. "The doubling of people dying from causes linked to alcohol is a stark reminder of the government's failed alcohol strategy," he said.
So do we then raise the price of food to stop obesity, or raise the cost of motor cars to stop road rage. Price increases is not the answer to binge drinking. People will still find money to buy alcohol and some may even steal to obtain it – bringing up the crime rate even more! Where will it all end?