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Rise in alcohol abuse 'appalling' Rise in alcohol abuse treatment
(40 minutes later)
The number of people being treated for alcohol misuse in Wales has gone up by more than 40% in a year, new figures suggest.The number of people being treated for alcohol misuse in Wales has gone up by more than 40% in a year, new figures suggest.
The statistics released by the NHS in Wales also indicate a jump in numbers seeking help for cocaine abuse.
Opposition politicians in the assembly described the figures as "appalling".
But the assembly government said the figures were "experimental", and the rise had been expected because of more funding for treatment programmes.But the assembly government said the figures were "experimental", and the rise had been expected because of more funding for treatment programmes.
The statistics released by the NHS also indicate a jump in numbers seeking help for cocaine abuse.
Opposition politicians in the assembly described the figures as "appalling".
Last year, 15,415 people were treated for alcohol misuse in Wales, up from 10,899 the year before, according to figures from Health Solutions Wales.Last year, 15,415 people were treated for alcohol misuse in Wales, up from 10,899 the year before, according to figures from Health Solutions Wales.
It highlights the folly of cutting detox beds in places like north Wales, as we have seen in recent days Mark Isherwood AM, Conservative
The county with the highest number of those being treated was Merthyr Tydfil, where more than 800 people were seen.The county with the highest number of those being treated was Merthyr Tydfil, where more than 800 people were seen.
Misusing cannabis Of those referred for treatment across Wales, 65 were under 12 years old.
Sixty five of those referred for treatment across Wales were under-12-years old. The number receiving treatment for cocaine addiction has also increased dramatically in the space of a year by 47%, and treatment for cannabis is up by a quarter, the figures showed.
The number of people receiving treatment for cocaine addiction has also increased dramatically in the space of a year, by 47% and treatment for cannabis is up by a quarter, the figures showed. The two largest categories recorded as the main problem area after alcohol were heroin and cannabis.
The two largest categories recorded as main problem substance after alcohol were heroin and cannabis. SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT Heroin abusers aged under 30: 53%63% of females50% of malesCannabis abusers aged under 30: 72%73% of males71% of femalesSource: NHS Wales
53% of clients seen for misusing heroin were aged under 30 (50% of males and 63% of females). North Wales Conservative AM Mark Isherwood said the figures were "absolutely appalling" and the assembly government's strategy to tackle drug and alcohol abuse was failing.
72% of clients seen for misusing cannabis were aged under 30 (73% of males and 71% of females) and 40% were aged under 20.
Mark Isherwood, Conservative AM for North Wales said the figures were "absolutely appalling" and that the assembly government's strategy to tackle drug and alcohol abuse was failing.
The assembly government says extra treatment places were now available
"Much more needs to be done to help those suffering with drug and alcohol misuse problems, " he said."Much more needs to be done to help those suffering with drug and alcohol misuse problems, " he said.
"The lives of vulnerable people across Wales are being wrecked by drug and alcohol abuse."The lives of vulnerable people across Wales are being wrecked by drug and alcohol abuse.
"It highlights the folly of cutting detox beds in places like north Wales, as we have seen in recent days."It highlights the folly of cutting detox beds in places like north Wales, as we have seen in recent days.
"Drug and alcohol abusers need treatment, training, housing and an introduction to the workplace."Drug and alcohol abusers need treatment, training, housing and an introduction to the workplace.
But a Welsh Assembly Government spokesman said they expected the rise in figures because it substantially increased the money available for treating substances misusers in Wales over recent years. 'Reduce harm'
That figure was up 660% over the past 4 years, said the spokesman, which demonstrated "the success of the current strategy, not its failure". But a Welsh Assembly Government spokesman said it expected the rise in figures because it substantially increased the money available for treating substance misusers in Wales over recent years.
Reduce harm That figure was up 660% over the past four years, said the spokesman, which demonstrated "the success of the current strategy, not its failure".
"Tackling drug and alcohol misuse continues to be a priority with the delivery of a new Welsh strategy being backed by an extra £9.6m over the next 3 years," said the spokesman. "Tackling drug and alcohol misuse continues to be a priority with the delivery of a new Welsh strategy being backed by an extra £9.6m over the next three years," said the spokesman.
"This funding will be used to deliver the new strategy, including extra treatment places and other support for substance misusers."This funding will be used to deliver the new strategy, including extra treatment places and other support for substance misusers.
"It will also fund measures to tackle binge drinking and actions to reduce harm to the wider community as a result of substance misuse such as alcohol related anti-social behaviour.""It will also fund measures to tackle binge drinking and actions to reduce harm to the wider community as a result of substance misuse such as alcohol related anti-social behaviour."
The spokesman added that this was only the second time these statistics have been released in this way. He said this was only the second time these statistics have been released in this way.
He said improvements in both data collection methods and the quality of the data mean that the figures published this year should not be compared directly to last year's. He said improvements in both data collection methods and the quality of the data meant the figures published this year should not be compared directly to last year's.