THE national debate is all about cannabis at the moment.

But Bolton is suffering badly from the effects of another drug -- alcohol.

Booze is so much a part of the culture for many adults that it is little wonder that children seek to follow their example.

There has been a 10-fold increase in the number of children under 15 turning up at the Royal Bolton hospital due to alcohol overdoses, accidents and violence.

It is also estimated that 21 per cent of 11 to 15 year olds drink on a regular basis.

These statistics are clearly worrying in a town which is said to have 14,000 men and 8,000 women drinking "hazardous" amounts of alcohol regularly.

Many of these people, of course, are no danger to anybody else as they have a quiet drink at home, or walk to the local pub for a chat or game of darts or pool.

They might well be doing themselves harm, but it seems much less alarming than the binge drinking which young people practise in Bolton at weekends. Trendy bars and clubs might well produce a vibrant "evening economy" and much harmless fun, but there is also the chance that drinkers will suffer serious damage.

Bolton is now -- not before time -- to have an alcohol strategy which will be supported by health leaders, the police and Bolton Council's social services department.

Co-ordinator Sandy McManus has the daunting task of building up a comprehensive picture of what is happening in Bolton and finding ways to combat abuses.

The Bolton Primary Care Trust will now be looking at providing support for drinkers and maybe establishing a residential detoxification centre for the town.

Is that a good business idea for somebody?