Drink related illness is said to cost the health service £3 billion a year and to account for almost a third of hospital admissions.

Another set of figures shows that at the weekends 70 per cent of admissions to accident and emergency units are caused by drink.

What is also not in dispute is the deep concern about binge drinking, especially by younger people. It is accepted that much of the crime and anti-social behaviour across the land is alcohol-fuelled.

Now as new laws covering the nation's drinking become a reality, why is it that the forces of law and order, doctors, hospitals and treatment specialists are all on alert for an explosion in binge-boozing?

That situation comes on top of the normal additional work they have to face caused by people who drink excessively over the Christmas and New Year period.

There was nothing wrong at all in taking a look at the licensing laws and bringing them up to date to meet the needs of today's changing lifestyles. Hopefully, the changes will eventually bring about all those benefits the Government and drinks industry say they will.

What still concerns the majority of people is the Government going ahead with the plans without putting in place a substantial, realistic and achievable programme to deal with the known effects of binge drinking. The new laws come with extra powers to tackle those who abuse the new system. But they are on a "suck it and see" basis.

This week police forces in this district announced measures they are taking to tackle potential problems. Keighley police say the campaign has particular relevance in the light of the new licensing laws.

The simple maths is this -- the amount of alcohol poured down the neck equals the amount of blood later spilt.

Controlling the amount consumed and tackling the reasons behind binge drinking -- especially among under age drinkers -- should become a priority.