County: We have a drink problem

People in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin believe the region has a drink problem, a study compiled as part of a Government-backed campaign has revealed.

Sixty-eight per cent of respondents across the two areas answered "yes" when asked if they thought the region had a problem.

The online survey was carried out under the Big Drink Debate, an ongoing initiative with people continually being urged to come forward with their opinions about the drinking habits of their locality.

The information, addressing the dangers of drinking both in terms of health and social disorder, will be used by health chiefs to deliver better help and support.

Nationally, the survey revealed 42 per cent of people believe the drinking age in the UK should be raised to 21 and 49 per cent recognised that drinking affected their health.

When asked about measures to control access to alcohol, 36 per cent of respondents thought alcohol was too cheap, and 58 per cent are in favour of special offers and happy hours being banned.

Dr Catherine Woodward, director of public health at Telford & Wrekin Primary Care Trust, said: "It is really important that we understand public perceptions about the harm caused by alcohol, so I really welcome this survey.

"In Telford & Wrekin, we already know that people are drinking too much alcohol.

"Around 23 per cent of men and 12 per cent of women are exceeding safe drinking levels and around a fifth of young people aged 11 to 15 years are drinking once or twice a week.

"There are particular problems with patterns of binge drinking.

"We have relatively high rates of hospital admissions due to alcohol-related problems and conditions like cirrhosis are on the increase," she added.

"Working with a range of other agencies, the PCT and council have signed up to a comprehensive strategy to tackle these issues in Telford & Wrekin which is already starting to produce results."

The trust will be updated next Tuesday on its alcohol strategy.

Previous reports to the Shropshire County Primary Care Trust have also revealed that the county has one of the biggest problems of teenage binge drinking in the country.

By Dave Morris