BINGE drinking is continuing to increase, the latest figures on alcohol consumption show.
During 2002, more than 20 per cent of men had drunk more than eight units of alcohol on a single day during the week, and more than 9 per cent of women had drunk more than six units in a single day, the figures show.
Binge drinking is much commoner among the young. More than 33 per cent of men between 16 and 24 had exceeded eight units in a day during the week when the figures were collected, but only 4 per cent of those over 65 had done so. Among women, 26 per cent of those aged 16 to 24 had exceeded six units in a day. Only 1 per cent of those over 65 had done so.
Overall, the figures for 2002 show that consumption shows signs of stabilising, when compared with 2001. But since 1992, drinking among women has changed greatly. Those drinking more than the “safe” level of 14 units a week increased from 12 per cent to 17 per cent. For men, the number exceeding 21 units a week remained stable at 27 per cent.
Paul Burstow, the Liberal Democrat health spokesman, said: “The Government needs to look beyond the containment of the problem and start dealing with the causes.”