Alcohol funding 'not treating the cause'
Author: Simon Macsis
Category: Health
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Whereas the majority of people enjoy alcohol responsibly, the number of people abusing it continues to rise through alcoholism and drink-related incidents.
Children in particular are drinking in record numbers, with abusers at grass roots level growing into adults who may have an even more serious problem.
To tackle this issue, new measures have been drawn up by Ed Balls, secretary of state for children, schools and families.
The guidelines are part of a nationwide crackdown on teenage binge drinking during the school holidays, which will include the provision of £1.4 million for 69 youth crime priority areas.
However, whereas this may be an effective move, some healthcare commentators feel that more should be being done to combat causes of the problem, rather than simply treating it.
Don Shenker, chief executive of Alcohol Concern, says dispersing young people from social gatherings may only have a "limited effect" on deterring them from drinking, as the substance is available cheaply from supermarkets and local shops.
"The summer is precisely the time when supermarkets heavily promote low-cost alcohol and multi-buy promotions," he explains.
He adds that the availability and affordability of alcohol is an "underlying problem" which the government needs to concentrate more resources on.
According to a recent study by a team from Oxford Brookes University for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, the average units of alcohol consumed by men and women in Great Britain has increased since 1992, which may boost the need for medical insurance.
Additionally, among those under-16s who do drink, average units consumed rose markedly between 1990 and 2006.
Mr Shenker points to recommendations made recently by the chief medical officer, who advises that a minimum price for alcohol would lower the consumption of under-age drinkers.
In addition, he says this would also deal with health problems and associated risks, including anti-social behaviour.
"Many local areas have found innovative ways of combating this problem, notably by information sharing between local businesses, police and councils," the expert concludes.
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Keywords: private medical insurance, health cover
View Count: 235
Date Submitted: 7/2/2009
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