Booze Bus

An item on the news last night caught my attention - the Booze Bus - an NHS 'service' which operates at this time of year to get drunk people home safe and well - often from their Christmas parties.

Now I think this is a good idea - because it cuts down the strain on our hospitals and police jails - where such people would be taken if it were not for the Booze Bus.

But what I find a bit surprising - is why the service should be absolutely free.

Because it's not as if people are ill or unwell - or if they are, then it's absolutely self-induced - through their own drunken behaviour and foolishness.

And it's not as if they can't afford to pay - if they've been out drinking and buying alcohol to such an excess - that they require assisatnce in getting home safely.

To my mind it's a bit like getting a fancy taxi - why would you expect someone else to pay your fare? 

So in return for providing drunk people with such a wonderful service - I would levy a charge on those who use it - maybe £50 or so.

Not only would that help take the strain off the public purse.

A £50 charge would help sober people up - and might even teach them a lesson about not getting into such a state again.