trend

NHS statistics for the number of under 18s admitted to hospital with alcohol related conditions were released this week. The Telegraph complied with current government policy and produced the sensationalist headline above but the figures they reproduce in the article itself paint a different picture.


In 2006/7 the number of cases of hospital admissions of under age drinkers where alcohol was the primary factor was 5,904

In 2007/8 the number of cases of hospital admissions of under age drinkers where alcohol was the primary factor was 5,582

In 2008/9 the number of cases of hospital admissions of under age drinkers where alcohol was the primary factor was 4,736

Can you spot a trend there?

I'm no statistician but to me that looks like a definite downward trend. Less underage drinkers are coming to harm while under the influence than in the previous two years.