ledded1 Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 HAPPY NEW YEAR ! ! ! Ambulance service receives emergency call every 8 seconds as Binge Britain welcomes in 2008 By BETH HALE The Daily Mail ~~ News You Can Use Last updated at 00:13am on 2nd January 2008 Binge-drinking revellers fuelled a chaotic start to 2008 as over-stretched ambulance workers battled to cope with emergency calls flooding in at a peak of one every eight seconds. In the capital alone the London Ambulance Service had to deal with its highest number of emergency calls since the Millennium - the majority related to excess alcohol. As midnight came and went there was mayhem as scores of drunken partygoers around the country tumbled into the streets, some wearing little more than their underwear. Scantily clad: Young women wearing just knickers, scarfs - and high heels - on the streets of Cardiff A woman is assisted by to paramedics in Newcastle's lively Bigg Market area on New Years Eve Fights erupted and a string of dishevelled young men and women collapsed on benches and in doorways, too inebriated to remember or care that the night was supposed to be a celebration. There to mop up the mess were thousands of emergency workers drafted in to provide cover on the busiest night of the year. In the first four hours of 2008, London Ambulance Service (LAS) dealt with an astonishing 1,825 calls alone, peaking at over 500 calls an hour between 2am and 4am. The volume of 999 calls was up 17 per cent on last year' and four times worse than a normal night. Meanwhile in the West Midlands the ambulance service fielded 1,400 calls in just five hours - a rate of one every 12 seconds. It was mirrored by the North East Ambulance Service which received 1,860 calls between 11pm and 5am. Last night the astonishing number of calls to deal with booze-fuelled illness of injury prompted accusations that lives of those in real emergencies were being put at risk and demands for partygoers to wake up the costs of binge-drinking. LAS spokeswoman Gemma Gidley said: "These calls put the Service under increased pressure to manage demand when we have to ensure we respond quickly to other patients with potentially life-threatening emergencies. "People need to think about the real consequences of drinking so much that they require treatment." In the south, the South Central Ambulance Service dealt with three times more incidents that normal. A girl tries to help up her friend in Bristol city centre after a night of boozing Collapse: Many partygoers were unable to stand and had to be helped by friends Control room duty manager Michele Foot said: "I think we should start charging people for the drink related stuff - it's most self inflicted." In some areas special temporary treatment sites were set up to cope, paramedics set out on foot in busy city centres and volunteers from the St John Ambulance Service and Red Cross were drafted in. Alternative transport was arranged for drunken revellers to take the strain of ambulances. Hundreds of arrests were made by police for public order offences, as well as violence and sex and drug-related crime. Riot vans parked in city centres prepared to deal with the inevitable fall out of a night of excess. While thousands of people celebrated the New Year peacefully - enjoying the visual spectacles of fireworks and live music - for others the temptation to over-indulge in what have become an all-too common scenes of drunkenness was too great. In Birmingham a group of friend bragged they would be "crawling" by the end of the night. In Newcastle, in scenes mirrored everywhere, a young woman - shoeless and seemingly very much the worse for wear - had to be aided by paramedics while nearby a well-built man lay face down in the street after being set upon by four other men. "This is going to be a long night," said one weary paramedic, confiding: "We will spend all night picking up people who are too drunk to walk and people who got into fights." A woman cleans a man's face of blood after violence in Newcastle's Bigg Market area A reveller with a pint slumps over at the Waterfront in Bristol Everywhere revellers who had lost all their inhibitions were happy to brag about their drinking exploits. Sisters Sarah and Teri Crame, both dancers, wore burlesque outfits better-suited to the boudoir as they strutted through the rain-soaked street. "We've been drinking since about seven," said Teri. "We're both wrecked and loving it. Mixing our drinks always leads to trouble - we've had wine, lager and vodka tonight." In Cardiff a group of young women, who would have been well-advised to cover up, tottered along in nothing more than heels and white underwear. Among those happy to boast about far exceeding the Government recommended weekly safe limit for drinking in just one night were a group of teachers. Bearing the brunt of the chaos, Paramedic Martyn Sullivan said: "We've had a lot of drunken calls and a lot of assault. I've been threatened myself tonight." In Bristol, a young woman wearing a tiny black dress despite the elements slumped on the floor as a friend, laughing, spent five minutes trying to lift her. Meanwhile a semi-naked man argued with police and other partygoers vomited over railings into the river. A teenager is arrested by police after a fight in Bristol A worse for wear man covers his face as he sits drunkenly on the pavement just after 1am in Norwich Fights broke out long before midnight and continued into the small hours. In Slough, Berkshire a crowd of drunken teenagers was involved in a punch up which ended with a 17-year-old boy being stabbed in the chest. Another person was stabbed in Woking, Surrey after a mass brawl. In Hampshire every custody centre in the county was full. For anyone not used to the less than sober face of a British New Year the night was something of an eye-opener. Belgian Florence Meganck, 25, was out in Bristol and summed up the evening. "At 9pm I saw people throwing up - England is totally different to Belgium. "The whole evening I have been watching English girls wearing dresses that only just cover their underwear. They zig-zag through the streets in their tiny skirts. "I saw a girl who looked like she wasn't older than 12 buy alcohol from a shop and then give it to even younger girls waiting outside. "Even though I haven't drunk tonight I have had such fun laughing at all the drunken English people. "But these drunks won't enjoy New Year's Eve, most of them won't even remember it." Oh it makes me so proud to be English and gives me hope for the future generations of English people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brspled Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 Oh it makes me so proud to be English and gives me hope for the future generations of English people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rover Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 Hey, The Rover...drunks in England...that' shocking!! Texas Cracks Down on Drunkeness in Bars By JIM VERTUNO, Associated Press Writer Beck acknowledged many people may be surprised to learn they can be arrested for being drunk in a bar. "We are trying to get the message out that we want bars to sell responsibly and consumers to consume responsibly," she said. Never said Texas didn't have a drinking problem ! It's why I don't go out on New Year's. What the Govt. does NOT want to highlight..... MANY of the DWI's and alcohol related deaths, involve those from south of the border, legal and illegal. But, we have a very alcohol driven society here. Many of the white soceity girls just love their booze ! ! Wouldn't want to cramp their style!! I'd like to see alcohol restricted to home use only. But, with the influx of Mexicans, the beer usage will only increase, as it's part of their "culture" to drink, some responsibly, and others not. I'd love to turn the tables on society, and make alcohol a controlled substance.... Then I could put all of those officials that can't live without it in jail. Yeah... tables turned.. ! ! ! But that's a fantasy.... until the Taliban take over.... And I don't see that happening here. But man.... wouldn't it be great to bring back prohibition.... Couldn't be any less fucked up than the current drug "war" situation !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leddy Posted January 3, 2008 Author Share Posted January 3, 2008 The do gooders are slowly getting their way, soon it will be illegal to have any fun, not be able to hold a door open for a women without getting it in the neck for being patronising etc etc !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilot of the Storm Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 MANY of the DWI's and alcohol related deaths, involve those from south of the border, legal and illegal. But, we have a very alcohol driven society here. Many of the white soceity girls just love their booze ! ! Wouldn't want to cramp their style!! Yeah, it's the same here with those south of Watford Gap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllisonAdler Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 Is this really the last year one can buy real light bulbs in the UK/EU?!? I was just reading this article in The Guardian about it: link I can't stand CFLs--don't they think about people who read for a living?! And it sounds as though they're not even very green. Typical bureaucratic nonsensical decision. I suggest massive protests. I'd rather give up almost anything else that wastes energy (the television, one of the cars, the dishwasher). The whole things sounds like Huxley meets Pullman or something. Blech. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FuzzyMerkin Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 Is this really the last year one can buy real light bulbs in the UK/EU?!? I was just reading this article in The Guardian about it: link I can't stand CFLs--don't they think about people who read for a living?! And it sounds as though they're not even very green. Typical bureaucratic nonsensical decision. I suggest massive protests. I'd rather give up almost anything else that wastes energy (the television, one of the cars, the dishwasher). The whole things sounds like Huxley meets Pullman or something. Blech. Can't stand CFLs either. Time to store up on real light bulbs and sell them on at horrendous prices next year... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valleygirl Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 why do these people who collapse in a drunken state phone 999? costing the NHS a fortune why dont they go home and collapse on the bathroom floor after being sick down the toilet (like i used to ) the thing is its not just new years eve, not just weekends its happening more frequent now. The paramedics are attending to these people because they dont have a choice. These binge drinkers are draining on the emergency services. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leddy Posted January 4, 2008 Author Share Posted January 4, 2008 Yes i have spent many a night sleeping on the bathroom floor when i was younger !! eeek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonham Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 The English love to get drunk. The Americans love to boast about getting drunk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mangani Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 I'd like to see alcohol restricted to home use only. :o But man.... wouldn't it be great to bring back prohibition.. Why punish the majority when it's only a small minority who abuse it? Almost everyone I know likes alcohol. None of them abuse it and none of them cause trouble because of it. I'm a drinker and I enjoy it and I have rarely seen any trouble in any pub I have been to. In fact, the last time was probably over a decade ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katuschka Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 The English love to get drunk. The English usually get drunk very easily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattmc1973 Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 Speaking of all this, have any of you Brits ever used this website? Fancy A Pint? When I visited London in 2002, I did a lot of reading on this website to learn about the best pubs... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allthekingshorses Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 I'm lovin' this thread... I've been looking into my family history lately and have just found out that my Great Great Grandparents lived in Wolverhampton(Willenhall & Mosely Village area). That side of my family is Irish but moved to England in mid 1800's. Anyone from there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leddy Posted January 5, 2008 Author Share Posted January 5, 2008 The English love to get drunk. The Americans love to boast about getting drunk. Last time I was in the States I remember an American saying they couldn't hold their drink and or that the beer over in England is stronger as their stuff is quite poppy !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonham Posted January 5, 2008 Share Posted January 5, 2008 The English usually get drunk very easily. Really? Must be a national thing, that, or generalization. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattmc1973 Posted January 5, 2008 Share Posted January 5, 2008 Last time I was in the States I remember an American saying they couldn't hold their drink and or that the beer over in England is stronger as their stuff is quite poppy !! I doubt there's any difference in how quickly either country gets drunk, it's a physiological thing. If anything, it could be related to beer in England being stronger, as you said. Beer is marketed to the lowest common denominator here, with Bud Light and crap like that being the most popular beers. Ales and dark beers are enjoyed by a smaller percentage of people. In England, you go into a pub, and it's all ales and darker beers on tap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mangani Posted January 5, 2008 Share Posted January 5, 2008 The English usually get drunk very easily. I noticed in Prague that the Czechs fleece tourists by watering down their beer. The beer in Prague tastes like piss water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllisonAdler Posted January 5, 2008 Share Posted January 5, 2008 I noticed in Prague that the Czechs fleece tourists by watering down their beer. The beer in Prague tastes like piss water. Hmmm, my (English) brother-in-law says the best beer he's ever had was in Prague. The Czech beers we get here are also very good indeed (Pilsner-Urquell especially). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katuschka Posted January 5, 2008 Share Posted January 5, 2008 Really? Must be a national thing, that, or generalization. That was an innocent generalization. It was probably as true as your statement that the Englist love to get drunk. All of them? Anyway, this is just what I noticed. I can't say the same thing about Scots though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ledded1 Posted January 5, 2008 Share Posted January 5, 2008 I'm lovin' this thread... I've been looking into my family history lately and have just found out that my Great Great Grandparents lived in Wolverhampton(Willenhall & Mosely Village area). That side of my family is Irish but moved to England in mid 1800's. Anyone from there? I wouldn't brag too much about your ancestry coming from there zeppy wanderers the nearest. I'm about 30 miles from that area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonham Posted January 5, 2008 Share Posted January 5, 2008 That was an innocent generalization. It was probably as true as your statement that the Englist love to get drunk. All of them? Anyway, this is just what I noticed. I can't say the same thing about Scots though. Oh, don't get me started on the Scottish and their liquor. I would, however, love to know how the Czechs handle their drink. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katuschka Posted January 5, 2008 Share Posted January 5, 2008 Oh, don't get me started on the Scottish and their liquor. I would, however, love to know how the Czechs handle their drink. You mean in general, or do want me to be particular? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allthekingshorses Posted January 5, 2008 Share Posted January 5, 2008 I wouldn't brag too much about your ancestry coming from there zeppy wanderers the nearest. I'm about 30 miles from that area. Thank you for replying, even if you are laughing.... so do tell... what's the area like? I'm really curious now. I'll be sure not to brag about being from there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mangani Posted January 5, 2008 Share Posted January 5, 2008 Hmmm, my (English) brother-in-law says the best beer he's ever had was in Prague. Not a patch on the beers in Bavaria, Germany. I was in both places earlier this year and after spending time in Bavaria took the train to Prague. I was disappointed in the beers there especially after all the things I've heard. I'm 100% sure some of the establishments do water down the beer in Prague. Maybe I was just unlucky. Still, I guess I was spoiled in Bavaria beforehand. Best beer there is, for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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