WE should all be very worried indeed about the latest figures linking health problems in this country to alcohol consumption.

Hospital admissions linked to alcohol have more than doubled since 1995 and GP prescriptions for treating alcohol dependency have gone up by 20 per cent in the past four years.

These are deeply disturbing statistics which suggest that this is a problem which is out of control, rather than being effectively managed.

The figures show that the time for radical action is overdue.

With liver disease taking up to ten years to develop, the knock-on effect on health services is abundantly clear. Effective action has to be taken - and it has to be taken now.

We have seen a lot of money poured into health promotion campaigns aimed at warning of the dangers of drinking too much alcohol. But the figures show that such campaigns are not enough.

The roots of this epidemic lie in the happy hour culture in pubs and clubs and the shameless cheap booze tactics of supermarkets which are prepared to use alcohol as a loss-leader in the ruthless competition for customers.

The result is that it is easier than ever for young people to get access to cut-price booze - and they are clearly making the most of the opportunity.

If the supermarkets can't be trusted to act responsibly - and they can't because there is too much money at stake - it is the duty of the Government to bring them into line.