by Neil Dixon

Created on: November 17, 2008   Last Updated: November 19, 2008

As the holiday period steadily approaches, our thoughts begin to turn to the numerous Christmas parties we will attend over the festive season.Many of us will partake in a few drinks over the festive period, some of us however, will go over the top with a few drinks leading to several drinks, and before we know it we are well and truly plastered. Not only during the holidays can drinking be hazardous, but due to the number of works parties, social get together and general merriment that goes about at this time of the year, the dangers involved with excessive drinking seem all the more prevalent. Drinking alcohol in moderation doesn't harm anyone, it helps many people unwind and socialise more freely. It's when we drink excessively or binge drink that problems can, and will inevitably occur.

The busiest time of the year for ambulance crews is the festive period. They ferry the inebriated party goers to hospital after suffering injuries in a drink related incident. Some of their passengers will be in a more serious condition, suffering from alcohol poisoning after consuming copious amounts of their favourite tipple, which can be fatal if not treated quickly. Countless others will have been involved in car accidents with drunk drivers, their holiday will be spent critically ill in hospital, and if they are lucky they may survive to see the following year's festivities.

Other public servants that are very busy through the festive period are our local constabularies. Traffic police are on the look out for drink drivers who couldn't be bothered to get a taxi home, after all, the cars parked in the lot and you haven't had that much to drink. Why take the risk of becoming yet another Christmas driving statistic? What a great Christmas present the judge will give you when they decide to ban you from driving for the next twelve months. Add a hefty fine into the mix and it is guaranteed to be one Christmas you will never forget.

Spare a thought for our foot patrolling police officers this holiday season. These men and women will be trying to keep the peace in the town and city centres. Gangs of drunken revellers will be spilling out of the pubs and clubs and onto the streets. Fighting is a common sight come the end of the evening and heavily intoxicated groups of males and females will be causing a threat to innocent party goers trying to make their way home. Many of the drunken brawlers will spend a night in the cells to sober up and think about the trouble they have caused.

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