Revellers across Shropshire are drinking themselves into an early grave, new Government figures revealed today.
They show excessive drinkers in some areas lose more than a year of their lives.
According to the Department of Health, the average male drinker in the Shrewsbury and Atcham and south Shropshire areas is dying 13 months early.
Those in Oswestry are losing 11 months off their lives, while some in Telford & Wrekin are shortening their lives by 10 months.
The figure for North Shropshire is nine months, while in Bridgnorth it is eight months.
Women drinkers in the county are reducing their life expectancy by between three and seven months.
The figures come at a time of growing alarm at the national alcohol epidemic.
Separate statistics show alcohol abuse is most rife in Telford & Wrekin, which has the highest rate of alcohol related hospital admissions per 100,000 of the population in the county.
Some 1,550 residents per 100,000 are admitted to hospital in the area, compared to 921 per 100,0000 in Oswestry.
The Government has promised tougher action against the alcohol industry unless it steps up efforts to encourage sensible drinking.
It is considering banning happy hours, forcing pubs and clubs to serve drinks in smaller glasses, and stopping off-licences and other retailers from displaying alcohol at checkouts.
But industry insiders warn this will lead to higher prices for all - including responsible drinkers - without solving the problem.
The huge impact of alcohol on both health and the economy in Telford has been highlighted by the borough’s director of public health, Dr Catherine Woodward.
Her hard-hitting annual report painted a picture of a town awash with drink, with a fifth of the population classed as “binge drinkers”.
She said the number of youngsters aged 11 to 15 found to be regularly boozing was “significantly higher” than the national average. And drink-related crime was said to be costing the community £2.7 million a year.
Telford & Wrekin Council, police and health officials have launched a joint campaign to tackle the spiralling problem of drinking.
By Sunita Patel
8 Comments
The best news drinkers have had for ages, Move to Bridgnorth and you can spend your entire life drunk and only lose 8 months at the end.
Can we have some smoking and junk food statistics like this and we might actually be able to enjoy our lives.
I’m fine with that - it will save us tax payers having to pay pensions for those of us he seek to quicken one’s way to a meeting with the maker.
Drink on I say and save us all some money in taxes in the future
What is this? more government statistics why can’t the government get on with governing the country instead of ramming rubbish statistics like we drink to much, we smoke to much, we shouldn’t eat this..you cant put this or that in your bin I think its a case of DO as I say, and not do as I do….fast cars two houses top nosh restaurants a cellar full of wine….give me a break the vast majority of people have had enough of this government the sooner they get the finger the better…
Strange one this - The government introduces 24 hr opening for pubs and clubs and off licences (regardless of the police, health service or electorates views and opinions) then appears to be both shocked and stunned that people are drinking more and its costing the Heath Service a fortune.
So next step will probably be to ban drinking in pubs on health grounds, just like they did with smoking. Incidentally according to governments own figures drinking has always been a greater burden on the NHS than smoking
Sup up lads! the more you drink the more you save..thats 13 months unfair council tax they won’t be able to chisel out of me!
Its not the amount you drink that is the problem
Go into any olde worldly country pub and the price of a pint of so called “real” ale will give you a heart attack
Nobody seems to have realised that depression usually leads to increased alcohol consumption and alcohol is known to impair judgement.
Many sudden deaths in the home, or elsewhere, have alcohol as a factor.
If Telford & Wrekin PCT published the rates of referral to consultant psychiatrists for clinical depression in each of the 33 electoral wards in Telford, there would be a revealing variation in rates.
I KNOW!!
Let’s have CCTV in every pub, club, and anywhere else you can think of, and then “they” can spy on this as well.
Honestly, WHEN ARE we going to kick this nanny state into touch?
I am so glad I’m in my “retiring” years now.
If I were younger, I’d more likely die from worrying about “big brother” than drink …
(or maybe that’s why people drink so much…. after being pursued al day by cameras, bin snoopers, and all the other nanny state things that we are all so fed up with??)