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| Bury Free Press, 3 January 2005 |
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| Drink related deaths in St Edmundsbury have more than doubled in the past eight years according to Government statistics. |
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| The House of Common figures, uncovered by Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket MP David Ruffley, make for sober reading as many of us prepare to celebrate the New Year. |
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| "This is a worrying trend and one we need to make every effort to reverse," said Mr Ruffley. |
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| The borough recorded 14 alcohol-related deaths in 2004, its highest in eight years and the highest for that year of any of the Suffolk boroughs. |
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| That compared to six alcohol-related deaths in St Edmundsbury in 1997. |
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| Ipswich, meanwhile, has actually seen a decrease - it recorded seven alcohol-related deaths in 2004 - down 36 per cent over the eight year period. |
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| Now Mr Ruffley has written to Mike Stonard, chief executive of the Suffolk West Primary Care Trust (PCT), asking what his trust is doing to combat alcoholism and the 'disturbing increase' in the borough's alcohol-related deaths. |
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| The PCT's director of public health, Dr Peter Bradley, said it was already working to combat alcoholism and the effects of alcohol abuse and added: "Alcoholism is a major problem facing society but it is one that cannot be effectively tackled by the National Heath Service working in isolation which is why, for example, we are already working with schools and local authorities. |
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| "In addition, Suffolk West PCT is currently developing a healthy eating and healthy drinking policy, which will be complete by the spring, and we are also working to reduce the number of accidents in our area, some of which are caused by alcohol." |
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| Meanwhile, St Edmundsbury will be hoping the figures which fluctuate from year to year in each authority, will show a better picture for 2005. |
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| More than 90 drivers face spending the next year banned from the roads after failing roadside breath tests so far this December. |
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| A total of 93 gave positive readings when stopped by police, including 15 who had been involved in accidents which caused injury. |
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