THE number of under-18s admitted to Worcestershire's hospitals after drinking binges soared 45 per cent in the last three years.

Experts say the figures - for admissions due to drink-related illnesses such as alcohol poisoning - are just the tip of the iceberg, with many more patients, both under and over the legal drinking age, being treated for injuries and illnesses caused by alcohol, but not recorded as such.

It is costing the county's NHS £20 million every year and taxpayers £200 million.

The news mirrors a report by the Institute of Public Policy Research suggesting Britain's drinking culture is spiralling out of control, with one in three teenagers classified as a binge drinker and, from the age of 12, the number of drinkers in Britain outstripping the number of non-drinkers.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust, which runs the hospitals and whose staff are on the front line dealing with the growing problem, declined to comment on the figures other than to say any violence towards hospital staff as a result of alcohol was taken very seriously.

But Dr Richard Harling, the county's director of public health, said: "There's no doubt that this upward trend is real. People are starting to drink younger and binge drinking is more prevalent. There's no denying it puts a huge pressure on the health service and society in general.

"There needs to be a big change in society's thinking - such as what's happening with smoking - before the trend starts reversing."

Peter Thorogood, the chief officer at Worcestershire community alcohol team, said the figures came as no surprise to him.

"Our own figures show we saw 839 new clients in 2006/07 against 487 the year before.

"It's easy to see why it's happening - every year, the drinks industry spends £227 million on advertising, while the Government spends just £3.7 million on warning people of the dangers of alcohol."

But he said he did not blame the introduction of the new laws to allow 24-hour drinking which came into force in November 2005, for the rise.

Instead he attributed it to a lack of education and a change in social values.

He said: "It's the English culture. Parents, schools and the church all used to influence values but these values are rapidly disappearing.

"Also, alcoholic drinks are targeting younger and younger people, getting sweeter and sweeter.

"The Government is doing little to help - for instance funding in Worcestershire pays for 50 drug workers, but just 12 alcohol workers. There's been no investment for alcohol advisory services for years."

Worcester MP Mike Foster said alcohol problems were a cultural challenge that needed to be tackled, and it was not just the Government's responsibility.

He said: "Of course more funding could always be used, whatever the issue, but the debate is where the money should go - the acute services that deal with the problem, or the public health side of things to deal with problems early on."

Mr Thorogood said there were a number of initiatives in Worcestershire to help reduce alcohol problems. including the alcohol team training GPs to intervene when they suspect an alcohol problem, and approaching patients at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

Also, as part of a pilot scheme, from May 1, if someone is given an £80 fine for disorderly behaviour due to alcohol, they will have the chance to not pay the fine if they agree to two help sessions with the alcohol team.

To get in touch with the team for free and confidential help, call 01905 27417.

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