MOST of us like a drink – and most of us drink in moderation. But we pay a heavy price for alcohol-related social problems.

There is strong evidence that cheap booze has expensive consequences and, in the North-East, the figures are particularly alarming.

During a survey by The Northern Echo, it wasn’t difficult to find booze being sold for as little as 15 pence per unit, and the damage caused by alcohol is estimated to be costing our region more than £1bn a year. That’s £887 for every taxpayer.

The North-East alcohol control agency, Balance, today launches a campaign for the minimum unit price to be set at 50p – 10p more than the lowest price advocated by the Government.

Eight out of ten family doctors have given their backing to the campaign in the belief that it will help protect their patients’ health.

With police chiefs also convinced that crime will be significantly cut, and academics estimating that 296,900 working days will be saved each year, the potential economic benefit is clear.

But what about the majority of sensible drinkers? Why should they have to pay for the excesses of the minority?

It is a fair question but a minimum unit price would link the price of alcohol to its strength, increasing the price of the cheapest, strongest booze, but having little impact on a pint in the pub or a standard bottle of wine.

A 50p minimum price for a unit of alcohol is a major step for us to take.

But on Balance, we believe it is the right one.