Norwich Evening News has done a survey of drinks promotions in the city. A Wetherspoon pub is one of many selling cut-price alcohol, albeit smokefree, presumably. Even more interesting perhaps is the SOS Bus that operates between 9pm and 3am, to help people who have suffered the consequences of some of those drinks.
According the SOS Bus website, in the 12 months from April 2002, attendances at the Bus were:
105 were unable to get home
72 wanted someone to talk to
28 were homeless
240 were injured or unwell
19 were in fear of violence
7 were scared to go home
48 required some advice or information
176 were drunk
(some had more than one reason for attendance)
These were the outcomes:
112 were treated for a medical problem
The support vehicle took 84 home
Taxis escorted 99 home
156 left of their own accord
85 were given advice
22 were referred to police officers
32 required an ambulance
20 parents were contacted
10 refused treatment or any form of assistanceIn all 50 people were referred to hospital for treatment.
It would be interesting to know the impact of the project on A&E and other emergency services, and on assaults and sexual assaults.
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