Germany - Diagnoses acute alcoholic intoxication: Still high rates among young people
By Walter Farke (DHS)
Wiesbaden (Germany) – The Federal Office of Statistics reported about 19,522 alcohol intoxicated children, young people and young adults between 10 and 20 years who were treated in hospital in 2006. This is an increase of 0.4% compared to the previous year. This rate is a very high level and is twice as high as in 2000 (+105%).
The highest rate, with 10,534 patients (54%), was observed among the 15-20 year old patients. While the number of persons affected within the age group 10-15 years old decreased from the past year, the rates increased as much as 51% when compared to numbers from the year 2000.
The numbers of intoxicated young people show us that the enforcement of Protection of Young Persons Act has failed in Germany. It shows also that the best law is useless if the availability of alcoholic beverages is so extreme that it is impossible to enforce the current laws.
For the full article in German: http://www.destatis.de/jetspeed/portal/cms/Sites/destatis/Internet/DE/Presse/pm/zdw/2008/PD08__004__p002,templateId=renderPrint.psml
