The headlines

The problems caused by alcohol are costing the North East – and we’re all paying the price.

It is costing us in terms of our health, our relationships, our front-line services, the future success of our children and the economy. It is also leading to other issues that we may not necessarily link directly to alcohol - from longer waiting times in A&E, use of police time and fear of crime, to clearing up the streets after the weekend, sick days and missing out on time spent with the family. Alcohol misuse also costs every man, woman and child in the region over £400 a year.

The consequences are hard-hitting and far reaching.

So how does alcohol affect you? In this section we look at the different ways alcohol misuse is damaging the North East, and give you all the key facts and figures and highlight the real issues.