Under-18s alcohol and drug-related emergency cases nearly double in 15 years
- 994 under-18s attended the Emergency Department for alcohol or drug-related issues between 2010 and 2025
- Annual cases nearly doubled from 42 in 2010 to 81 in 2025, peaking at 108 in 2022
- Females accounted for 652 attendances compared to 342 for males over the 15-year period
- Recent five years (2021-2025) averaged 90 cases annually, up from 52 per year in the previous decade
- Data shows significant fluctuations, with a notable surge from 34 cases in 2018 to 108 in 2022
The number of under-18s treated at Guernsey's Emergency Department for alcohol or drug-related incidents has nearly doubled over the past 15 years, according to new figures released by Health and Social Care.
Data obtained through a freedom of information request shows that 994 young people aged 17 and under attended A&E between 2010 and 2025 for issues coded as 'Alcohol Related Attendance' or 'Under 18 Alcohol/Drugs/Self Harm'.
The figures reveal an upward trend, with annual cases rising from 42 in 2010 to 81 in 2025. The peak occurred in 2022, when 108 attendances were recorded.
The data shows significant year-on-year fluctuations. After dropping to 33 cases in both 2011 and 2012, numbers climbed to 60 in 2013 and reached 71 by 2015. Following a temporary decline to 34 attendances in 2018, cases rose again, with 75 recorded in 2020, 89 in 2021, and the record high of 108 in 2022.
The gender breakdown reveals that females accounted for nearly two-thirds of all attendances over the 15-year period, with 652 cases compared to 342 for males. This represents a ratio of approximately two female patients for every male patient.
The disparity between genders has widened in recent years. In 2022, when total cases peaked, 79 attendances involved females compared to 29 males. In 2025, females accounted for 50 of the 81 total cases, with males making up 31.
The data was released in response to a freedom of information request submitted on 15th April 2026 and answered by Health and Social Care on 15th May 2026. The request sought to follow up on a 2011 BBC news report about under-18s and alcohol in Guernsey.
Records were compiled by the Business Quality and Business Intelligence team from ED attendance data where cases were specifically coded with alcohol or drug-related classifications for patients aged 17 and under.
The most recent five years (2021-2025) have seen consistently higher numbers, averaging 90 cases annually, compared to an average of 52 cases per year in the preceding decade (2010-2020).
The figures represent individual attendances rather than individual patients, meaning some young people may have attended A&E multiple times during the period covered.
Q&A
Q: How many under-18s were treated for alcohol or drug-related issues at Guernsey A&E between 2010 and 2025?
A: 994 young people aged 17 and under attended A&E for alcohol or drug-related issues during this 15-year period.
Q: What was the highest number of annual attendances recorded?
A: The peak was 108 attendances in 2022, more than two-and-a-half times the 42 cases recorded in 2010.
Q: How does the gender breakdown compare?
A: Females accounted for 652 attendances compared to 342 for males, a ratio of approximately two female patients for every male patient over the 15-year period.
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