ALCOHOL is taking an increasing toll on the resources of the National Health Service in Oxfordshire.

Our report today about the impact of booze-related admissions at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital and The Horton in Banbury makes that perfectly clear.

Casualty staff have to bear the brunt of a staggering rise in people who need treatment because of a night’s heavy drinking.

It is getting worse and it is costing the taxpayer more – although we don’t exactly know how much.

Friday and Saturday nights must be a nightmare for doctors, nurses, paramedics and support staff.

They do a sterling job and we don’t envy them one single bit.

But just think about how the pressure could be eased if the numbers were even cut in half because people didn’t get blind drunk and get into fights or fall over in the streets.

The problems don’t end with some stitches in A&E.

There are also signs that patients with serious drink-related illnesses, such as liver cirrhosis, are getting younger and younger. People are literally pickling their livers.

Blame it on cheap booze deals, longer opening hours, stronger alcohol, whatever you want – it’s a trend in society we have to change, and quickly.