An analysis of statistics from A&E departments in UK hospitals and the emergency services showed the number of young people taken to hospital due to binge drinking has risen 32 per cent since 2002. The study by Alcohol Concern (AC) also showed nearly 8,000 youngsters had sought specialist treatment to deal with their drink problems last year and that alcohol was a contributory factor in five per cent of young people's deaths in 2009. Don Shenker, head of AC, said binge drinking also cost the NHS £19m a year. "The government needs to act," he added. - Metro
Two teenage students died within days of each other after drunken nights out in the same city. Leeds coroner David Hinchliff warned of the dangers of binge-drinking and said "acts of foolishness" killed Matthew Wilcox and Frederick Archer-Joy. Matthew, 19, drowned after falling into a river in February and Frederick, 18, had a heart attack two weeks later. Recording accidental death verdicts for the Leeds and Sheffield University students, Mr Hinchliff said: "The old adage of moderation in all things is appropriate here." - Sunday Mirror
Graphic images warning of the dangers of smoking could be printed on cigarette packets in Jersey. The proposals are due to be debated by the States Assembly in November. Packets already carry written information about the health risks of tobacco. Health minister Deputy Anne Pryke said it was hoped the warnings would discourage young people from starting to smoke. Cigarette packs in the UK have shown such images for some time. - BBC
A man has been arrested and charged with the murder of landlord Steven Curran, whose body was found behind a pub in East Lothian. Lothian and Borders Police last night confirmed that a 23-year-old man has also been charged with the theft of a motor car. The suspect is expected to appear at Haddington Sheriff Court tomorrow. The body of Curran, 47, from Musselburgh, was found at about 2am on Thursday behind the Dolphin Inn at Whitecraig, East Lothian, sparking a murder investigation. - The Scotsman