§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) people and (b) children under the age of 18 years have been diagnosed as alcoholics in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [4410]
§ Mr. MossThe information available is given in the table. The Department of Health and Social Services intends next year to commission a review of its strategy on alcohol misuse.
The number of in-patients discharged at least once from Northern Ireland mental illness hospitals and psychiatric units with a primary diagnosis of alcohol dependence syndrome is shown in the table:
Figures are based on code 303 of the 9th revision of the International Classification of Diseases, alcohol dependence syndrome.
In-patients diagnosed 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 All ages 856 922 921 Aged under 18 2 5 1