England Sees Huge Leap in Alcohol Problems

24-hour boozing sends many to hospital

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 14, 2007 3:30 PM CDT

(Newser) – England’s liberal alcohol policies may be coming home to roost. Alcohol-related hospital admissions have skyrocketed, according to documents obtained by the Observer, two years after England relaxed alcohol policies and allowed booze to be sold 24 hours. The figures, which trace admissions ranging from drunken driving to liver problems, have risen 27.3% for men and 28.9% for women since 2002.

“These data show that we have a serious alcohol problem in this country and measures to date haven't had any discernible effect,” said one physician, advocating an increase in alcohol prices. Police officers, always skeptical of relaxed laws, reported more alcohol incidents. “It used to be…the hot spots would be on Fridays and Saturdays,” said one. “Now it’s any night of the week.”

G.B. ENGLAND. Cornwall. Dominos game at a pub. 1978. (LON37924) (Magnum Photos)

G.B. ENGLAND. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Bar. 1976. (LON29798) (Magnum Photos)

Cherry Stout ((c) Michael Gorsuch)

((c) chadmill)

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Woman Banned From Every UK Bar Arrested for Drinking

Laura Hall also swore at a cop

Woman Banned From Every UK Bar

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Half of all alcohol consumed in America drunk in binges

1 in 6 Americans Is a Binge Drinker

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alcohol • England • alcohol abuse

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Woman Banned From Every UK Bar Arrested for Drinking

Laura Hall also swore at a cop

Woman Banned From Every UK Bar

Laura Wilson, 20, gets a 2-year timeout from booze

Seniors Binge Drink the Most

Half of all alcohol consumed in America drunk in binges

1 in 6 Americans Is a Binge Drinker

Nation's heaviest boozers are in Wisconsin, study finds

Binge Boozers Cost Society $2 a Drink

New CDC research tallies up impact of excessive drinking

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