Thousands are 'at risk of alcohol death' say doctors

Alcohol related deaths have been a major concern for doctors in the UK, ever since the 1960s. In the 1960s there was a high rate of liver disease deaths caused by the consumption of cheap alcohol. After this problem was brought to the attention of the government, marketing restrictions were placed on alcohol, reducing the amount of drinking levels. Doctors now say that these marketing restrictions could reduce the number of liver disease deaths by a substantial amount. However if nothing is done, the UK could potentially find themselves at risk for nearly 250,000 alcohol related deaths. Professor Sir Ian Gilmore has been an advocate for taking action on alcohol misuse for quite a while now. He believes that alcohol is a drug that more than 1.5 million people are addicted to and that there should be tougher regulations concerning alcohol. He also believes that the government could be doing more to control public health policy on drinking. Sir Richard Thompson who is president of the Royal College of Physicians adds that at some point the government is going to have to decide whether to choose between the general public's safety or the drinks industry. Those who believe that the government has been making efforts to reduce alcohol misuse in the UK are David Poley and A Department of Health Spokeswoman. Poley reports that recent government statistics do show that there has been a decline in alcohol related deaths and that the industry does put in effort to provide health education campaigns. Spokeswoman for A Department of Health also supports the government by saying that they have done their part by making plans to discontinue the low prices of alcohol in supermarkets as well as making a stronger licensing regime. From this article, it is clear that the UK struggles with the misuse of alcohol as do many other countries around the world. There is a struggle between concern for the public's safety and the industry. For those who work to sell alcoholic beverages to consumers, this is their life and how they make a living. I do not believe it is the industry's fault for the public's misuse of alcohol. People that develop liver diseases such as Cirrhosis of the liver, do so because they are addicted to alcohol and abuse it for many years. Alcoholics might deny that they have a problem but deep down inside they know that they are consuming alcohol in unhealthy amounts, creating a problem. What people need to understand is that regardless of whether or not the government raises the prices on alcohol or strengthens the licensing regime of alcohol, someone who "has to have" their alcohol will find a way to get it. Changes to control the drinking population and death toll of drinking related causes doesn't happen overnight. If reliable sources are claiming that the government is working to make a change and they can provide evidence that this is happening, then people need to trust that that change is possible. Otherwise, if people such as Professor Sir Ian Gilmore feel strongly that not enough is being done to control the misuse of alcohol, then they should make a point to do something to make a change. Alcohol is easily misused and causes accidents and deaths everyday and as long as alcohol is still being produced and consumed this is going to happen.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12506127