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Leeds counts 438GBP million economic and social cost of alcohol-related problems

"Cheap booze blamed for hidden costs of Leeds' alcohol problems" was one of the conclusions reached at the recent Leeds Alcohol Challenge Conference, which saw locals debate how to reduce this cost associated with alcohol related problems.

Nearly 30 percent of the costs were linked to the criminal justice system, just over 25% concerned lost productivity in the workplace, whilst health and social care made up 13% of the total. The biggest sector though, was the wider social costs of alcohol misuse, calculated at £135.2m – this included lived shorten due to drink consumption.

Leeds has the second biggest night-time economy in the UK and alcohol plays a key role in creating jobs.

But Councillor Mark Dobson, chairman of the Healthy Leeds Partnership, said he was frustrated that the licensing committee he sits on did not have tougher powers to clampdown on problem establishments and called on government to 'take the shackles off'.

Research shows that more than 35,000 adults in Leeds can be classed as high-risk drinkers - which is men drinking over 50 units and women drinking more than 35 units.

The full cost breakdown can be read here - http://www.guardian.co.uk/leeds/2011/mar/22/cheap-booze-blamed-for-hidden-costs-of-leeds-alcohol-problems?INTCMP=SRCH

Published by Addiction Advisor on 24/03/2011.

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