DRINKING AND DISORDERLY BEHAVIOUR
Drinking can bring out the worst in people, sometimes making them aggressive. If you drink or behave in a way that is ant-social, the Police can fine you:
• £50 if you drink alcohol in a ‘no alcohol’ public area, are drunk in the street or drink under the age of 18
• £80 if you harass, alarm or distress someone or behave in a disorderly way
• £80 if you are under 18 and try and buy alcohol or have it bought for you by someone else
• £80 if you vomit or urinate in the street

In an EMERGENCY phone 999
In a non emergency phone 101

Short-term effects of drinking alcohol: A small amount of alcohol will relax you and make you feel less anxious. But alcohol is a depressant and suppresses the part of your brain that controls judgement, resulting in a loss of inhibitions. It also affects your physical co-ordination, causing blurred vision, slurred speech and loss of balance. Drinking a very large amount at one time (binge drinking) can lead to unconsciousness, coma, and even death. Vomiting while unconscious can lead to death by asphyxiation (suffocation). Alcohol is involved in a large proportion of fatal road accidents, assaults and incidents of domestic violence.

Long-term effects of drinking alcohol: Alcohol can be a dangerous drug. Drinking too much too often will cause physical damage, increase the risk of getting some diseases, and make other diseases worse. Excessive drinking over time is associated with:
• Hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver
• Heart failure
• High blood pressure (which can lead to a stroke)
• Damage to the brain i.e. dementia
• Neurological problems i.e. epilepsy
• Certain types of cancer, including mouth and throat
• Stomach ulcers & Pancreatitis

What to do if someone is severely drunk and unconscious…Sometimes people drink more than they mean to or should. Being very drunk is dangerous and people in such a state need to be looked after (no matter how annoying they are or have been). It's important everyone knows what to do in such circumstances – it could save a life.
If the person is still conscious . . .
• Stop them from drinking any more alcohol or any other liquids
• Make sure they keep warm – alcohol lowers body temperature and there's a risk of hypothermia
• Don't leave them alone – they could injure themselves or fall unconscious
• Stay with them until they sober up
If the person is very drowsy or unconscious . . .
• Don't leave them on their own
• If they fall unconscious and can't be roused, call 999
• Make sure their airway is clear before turning them onto their side into the recovery position. This will stop them choking if they're sick
• Make sure they keep warm – especially if they're outside
• Cover them with a coat or blanket
• Stay with them until help arrives
• Tell the emergency staff that they have been drinking, as well as about any drugs you think they may have taken

Check out the drinkaware.co.uk unit calculator here...

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