Government failing to tackle problem drinking

3.46.34pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 23rd Jul 2008

Drinking-related health problems now cost the NHS in Stockport £13.5million a year, according to three independent reviews published today.

Local MP, Andrew Stunell, has condemned the Government for a lack of action that the reports say has led to an estimated 1,000 alcohol-related hospital admissions in Stockport alone in the last 12 months.

Commenting, Mr Stunell said:

"Today's reports completely blow apart ministers' claims that they are making progress in tackling alcohol misuse successfully.

"A visit to A&E at Stepping Hill any Friday or Saturday night will show that the cost is not just to the individual, but to the whole community. And a huge amount of local crime and anti-social behaviour is directly linked to alcohol misuse, too.

"If we are to have any chance of getting a grip on binge drinking then we need urgent action to reduce the availability of incredibly cheap alcohol and to ensure that the law is actually being enforced.

"The alcohol industry clearly hasn't been paying the blindest bit of notice to the Governments current approach.

"The time has now come to send a clear message - if you don't start selling alcohol responsibly, then you will lose the right to sell it at all."

ENDS

Note to Editors

1. The Liberal Democrats will be publishing their proposals for tackling alcohol misuse later this month.

2. For more information on the reports published today, please see the following link: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_086412