Booze nation

The shocking story of Wales' booze culture is set to dominate tomorrow's front page - with some truly disturbing revelations about the number of very young children who are addicted to drink.
I certainly can't take the moral high ground on the issue of booze - but I have to ask what the heck is going on in the homes of children as young as 12 who get so drunk they need to go to A&E and have counselling to face up to their addiction?
Send a message and tell me what you think.

Staffing updates - Andy Gilpin has been appointed as acting deputy editor, starting on December 10. If the name is familiar that's because Andy is already with the Daily Post and is our superstar sports editor. He's a proud Welshman who knows what makes North Wales tick. He has a fine eye for design and nose for a great story and I am delighted to welcome him to the top team. Also, I'll shortly be appointing a new digital journalist to help us develop our websites.

Our Achievement Wales awards are just a week away. I look forward to seeing all the contestants at our awards dinner at Bangor University on December 30. And if you need to shed a few pounds afterwards, then join me on Llandudno Prom at 11am Sunday for the Santa fun run for Hope House/Ty Gobaith. Don't forget to sign up and get your Santa suit first!

Last weekend a national paper proclaimed in about 300 point bold capitals that Madeleine McCann was indeed ALIVE. Today another newspaper said with similar conviction: SHE'S DEAD. It's bloody heartbreaking, agonising. There's been lots of talk about mum and dad - but how on earth are the grandparents and the rest of that little girl's extended family coping? It must be a living hell.

Finally, I had a message to my blog slagging me off over the way journalists doorstep grieving families. The author said he/she was sure I would censor it. To whoever sent that message - I would be happy to add your comment to the public section but at least do the decent thing and give your real name, Mr Bloggs.