Sorry, Liz, but it is NOT unprecedented. Just think about it - everytime the amount of alcohol abuse increases it is 'the worst ever' so it constantly happens and as the population increase it will continue to do so. The government and NHS management are simply providing the smoke and mirrors to mask the mis-management of funds.

That aside the article you refer us to makes no mention of whether this has happened before or not. Show us hard evidence that alcohol abuse is worse now than during the days of the Victorian Gin Palace and you may gain some credibility.

And alcohol has been cheaper than water since the introduction of designer waters. Not just in clubs but in ordinary pubs. In my local a bottle of Perrier is £1.50 while half a bitter is £1.10 but what the hell that has to do with anything I don't know. Apart from it is change of tactic number 5 or 6...

DeG