I take your point, MtheGM about my nieces. But I don't think stinging them for money or any other type of fee system would address the fundamental urge to drink in excess. Something else is going on among our youth than a wilful and deliberate binge-drinking attitude. These young people are not functioning mentally or emotionally as they should. It's almost as if they're trying to blot out something. Alcoholism and binge drinking aren't easy to explain or treat. Making the drunks pay for treatment won't prevent further abuse will it? The Law doesn't seem to be able to solve this, so perhaps therapy or counselling might. I have paid Income Tax and NI contributions all my life, and I quite see how angry it makes one to have to fund this problem, but I will always stand firm on 'treatment for all' under the NHS.