Alcohol-related casualties 'rise'

[Snoopy]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7043702.stm

The number of people taken to hospital due to alcohol abuse has risen sharply over the past five years, figures published in The Observer suggest.

It reports that NHS data shows the number of men admitted as drink-related emergency cases in England rose by 27.3% between 2001/02 and 2005/06.

Among women over the same period, there was a 28.9% rise in admissions.

The figures, which come two years after 24-hour drinking was allowed, suggest the problem is worst in the North East.

I don't suppose anyone has asked the obvious question ..... Is this due to relaxed drinking laws as the report seems to suggest or a reluctance of the Police to bang the drunks up until they have slept it off but rather take them to A&E to ensure that they really are drunk and not suffering from something else that might lead to embarrassing questions when they die in custody?

The report goes onto add fuel to the debate about the North/South question

The North East region had the highest number of admissions per 100,000 population for both men (1,232) and women (689) in 2005/06.

The North West was close behind with 1,215 men per 100,000 and 674 women.

The region with the best record was the east of England with admission figures of 743 men and 425 women per 100,000 population.

[Darwins Selection]

The region with the best record was the east of England with admission figures of 743 men and 425 women per 100,000 population.

That is because they fall into fenland ditches and drown.

[Snoopy]

Strongly possible ~ also having worked with them for a time Norfolk Police would find it hard to catch a cold.

[Uncle Mort]

Nope, it's because it's 'grim up north' so they drink more. 

[Snoopy]

It may also explain this Geordie fashion for not wearing their shirts when they go to a pub or a football match .... too pissed to be able to button a shirt. 

[Grumpmeister]

Cheeky bleedin sod Snoopy. Its genetic actually, we just dont feel the cold 

[Snoopy]

Of course, of course 

[The Moan Ranger]

It's nice to see Surrey putting up a fairly good show in these stats, but 22-50 units PER WEEK. Most people I know have exceeded that by Wednesday night (assuming the week starts on Monday)   

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7045830.stm

[Snoopy]

It's nice to see Surrey putting up a fairly good show in these stats, but 22-50 units PER WEEK. Most people I know have exceeded that by Wednesday night (assuming the week starts on Monday)   

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7045830.stm

Is that statistic indicative of Surrey or the sort of people you know?

"And the pig got up and slowly walked away" comes to mind here.

[Grumpmeister]

Of course, of course 

Wonder if I can get the contact details for those vets off Nick.......

[Nick]

You need a vet?

My boy, do I have vets?

[Snoopy]

Of course, of course 

Wonder if I can get the contact details for those vets off Nick.......

No need for that GM ~ you'll find them in the wife's handbag I 'spect.

[Grumpmeister]

Here's a radical idea about these alcohol related accidents. Make anyone who comes into an A&E department who is obviously rat arsed take a blood alcohol test and then bill anyone over a set limit accordingly. The NHS would be back in black in a couple of months.