Hundreds of parents in Wolverhampton treated for alcoholism
Almost 500 parents are in treatment for alcohol addiction in Wolverhampton, new figures revealed today.
The National Alcohol Database shows that 470 mothers and fathers are getting help to kick their drinking habits.
It comes after figures released earlier this year showed almost half of children in the city aged 15 or under were drinking alcohol.
In a bid to tackle the problem, an extra three specialist workers have been taken on by the city council to provide therapy for people misusing alcohol.
A report on the issue is set to go before a meeting of Wolverhampton City Council on Wednesday.
It states: "Four hundred and seventy parents who had children were in treatment.
"This will continue to be monitored and a whole family approach supported."
The report for next week's council meeting also states that council bosses think they are making headway with their alcohol strategy plan for 2013/14.
It reveals that a new alcohol liaison service has been launched at the city's New Cross Hospital. The team works with hospital staff to identify people admitted to hospital who have problems associated with their alcohol use.
Community detoxification services have also been launched in Wolverhampton.
Latest research also shows more than 12,000 children and young people have had drug and alcohol education through school courses this year.
Just over 300 public sector workers in organisations such as GP surgeries and West Midlands Fire Service received training to help them gauge sensible drinking levels and give advice to others.
Council chiefs have also revealed that the number of city premises taking part in a Pub Watch scheme to crack down on problem drivers has now risen to 21 out of 38 venues.
Meanwhile street drinkers across the city are being tackled in two ways. City-wide powers for police to seize booze from people causing a nuisance came into force in April, and 10 regular problem drinkers are being taken through the courts by police hoping to secure anti-social behaviour orders.
Chiefs will assess the success of their action every three months to ensure they are on track reducing problems.
Last year's Wolverhampton Public Annual Health Report stated that 48 per cent of of pupils aged 11 to 15 were drinking more than a sip of alcohol and the report pointed to clear evidence that the pupils were also taking part in other 'risky' behaviour.
