Younger and younger....

The Daily Telegraph revealed BMA figures yesterday which must concern all of us, that drunkenness is reaching to younger and younger children.

For the age group 12-15 years, last year 4,441 were admitted to hospital for emergency treatment after drinking.

For the age group 16-17 years, the figure was 7,766 patients.

For those under 12 years of age the figure was 181. Every 48 hours on average a child less than 12 is treated in hospital for binge drinking. In fact like their older counterparts, most admissions are on Friday and Saturday nights. Every week-end children of this age group will be brought to hospital after passing out in the street. Ten years ago this would have been an occasional thing, but now it is virtually every week-end.

A consultant paediatrician reported that the youngest patient he had encountered was aged just 8 years old. He had been found unconscious in the street.

The concern is that these youngsters are likely to be doing long term damage. There is already a significant rise in liver damage among the under 35s. They are also by-passing the pleasures of youth for a drunken binge-filled unconsciousness.

Questions arise?

Where are they getting the drink, or the money to buy? Who is guilty or aiding and abetting?

What has happened to parental guidance and discipline, or appropriate education in school?

Is it now time to follow the advice of some who recommend a minimum tax per unit of alcohol, to thwart the opportunity of youngsters buying the cheapest and most potent drinks?