Emergency services tackle binge drinking

Police and NHS staff have joined forces to highlight the dangers of binge drinking.

The year-long campaign was launched yesterday (Tuesday) across the south and aims to highlight the dangers of underage drinking and excessive alcohol consumption.

It is a common misconception that the only side effect of too much alcohol is a bad hangover.

But, you are more likely to become a victim of crime, including serious sexual assault, and more likely to have unprotected sex - resulting in pregnancy or a sexually transmitted infection – when drunk.

The new initiative aims to target under age drinking, anti-social behaviour, binge drinking and violent crime, as well as educating youngsters on the health effects of drinking and the impact on the NHS.

Alcohol stats

* On a typical Friday and Saturday night up to three quarters of all A&E attendances are a result of alcohol

* Almost half of all violent crime is alcohol-related.

* One in three rapes happens when the victim is drunk

* 80% of pedestrian deaths on a Friday and Saturday night are alcohol related

* Across the South East more than 6,000 deaths per year are attributed to alcohol

The scheme is being run across Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, where latest figures show that more than 22,000 hospital admissions a year are alcohol related.

Thames Valley Police recorded a 33% increase in the number of offenders and suspects for alcohol-related offences last year - 19,575 offenders compared to 14,735 the previous year.

This figure highlights the continuing problems but also reflects the proactive approach police are now adopting to those who get drunk and commit offences.

Assistant chief constable Nick Gargan said: “We are working with our partners in the NHS, Trading Standards and in the licensing trade to really highlight the risks of excessive drinking.

“We want people to go out in our towns and cities at night and enjoy themselves safely and will continue to tackle those who spoil it for others.

“Drink excessively and there are serious consequences.

“We will arrest those who get violent and give £80 fines to those who get disorderly.”

Throughout the campaign adverts on buses, posters and leaflets will be used to highlight the work of the NHS and police to reduce alcohol consumption.

The material will also remind people that in the longer term you are more likely to suffer from serious health problems such as cancer, coronary heart disease, and even an early death, if you are a heavy drinker.

But the health problems do not have to be that significant to change your life. Too much alcohol leads to weight gain, a reduced ability to conceive among woman and impotence among men.

Dr Simon Tanner, regional director of public health at NHS South Central said: “It is assumed that everyone knows drinking too much alcohol can be bad for you but still we see people turning up to A&E in a very serious condition either having been assaulted or injured while out drinking.

“This not only places a strain on the NHS, but most importantly on their bodies.

“Across the region we are also seeing an increase in the number of people suffering from the very serious health effects of alcohol, such as sexually transmitted infections like herpes and HIV, liver disease and some forms of cancer.

“Most people enjoy a drink but the message we want to get across to the public, and particularly young people, is that if you do drink, then do it safely and sensibly.”

It is the first time Thames Valley Police, Hampshire police and NHS South Central have worked together in a joint initiative and is being launched ahead of National Alcohol Awareness Weekend (May 11-14).

Newbury Today