Disturbing new figures show drugs and alcohol abuse are causing widespread damage to Britain health and social services. Experts are warning that illnesses and injuries caused by alcohol abuse cost the NHS (National Health System) up to £3 billion a year. And the governments financial watchdog says drug addicts will continue to commit half of the crime, because their treatment is so ineffective. A report by the charity Alcohol Concern says that more than 28,000 hospital admissions a year are caused by alcohol dependence or poisoning. Such statistics have prompted warnings that the health service could crack under the strain of dealing with alcohol-related illness. Alcohol is implicated in 33,000 deaths every year.

Dr. Chris Luke of Cork U. Hospital said: “The NHS is on the brink of collapse and it is hard to argue other wise. Alcohol is a lifestyle issue which grows with affluence and is continuing to worsen steadily.” Deaths from alcohol-related disease have increased yearly since 1983, particularly among 27- to 30-year-olds, according to the study.

A separate report by the Audit Commission found that drug addicts are slipping through the net of care because the service is badly organised and doctors lack appropriate training. Use of drugs is estimated to be the cause of half of all crime and costs society £4 billion a year. Two- thirds of all people arrested test positive for one or more illegal drugs. And nearly half of those, have been taking heroin or cocaine. Waiting lists at surgeries and a lack of training among doctors are key problems in England highlighted in the commission’s report The commission says many doctors shy away from providing specialist help because they lack the expertise and support.