The Prime Minister admitted the Government is taking tougher and more effective actions on drug-driving. A proposal is being sought to introduce a new offence of driving under the influence of drugs. The new strategy will be discussed with a panel of scientists and forensic toxicologists on thresholds for different substances.

Drug driving contributes to hundreds of deaths and injures every year. According to latest research, figures show that only in 2008, drugs were suspected of being responsible for more than 250 fatal accidents, but fewer than 170 drug-drivers were prosecuted.

Currently it is difficult for the police force to provide evidence of drug driving impairment, resulting in thousands of offenders going undetected. The Home Office is considering the introduction of a new saliva testing kit to enforce a more effective drug screening and convict criminal offenders.

Jo Bullock from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said: “This is a step forward in the fight against drug-driving which, together with new testing equipment, will help police catch and convict those driving under the influence of drugs”.

With the season of giving upon us, Liverpool County Court has been raising funds for local families across the Merseyside area. Those who are in need this Christmas will benefit from the efforts of the court, local barristers and solicitors to raise donations.  These will be used to purchase toys and food hampers for families across Liverpool and the surrounding area.

Trimega Laboratories is proud to have provided a Christmas contribution to assist this worthwhile cause.

Its seems that some drivers in Northern Ireland are taking the term “festive cheer” too literally. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have released figures that show a significant increase in drink driving cases.  In the period between 25th November and 18th December, 250 drivers were caught, 28 more than the same period last year. The figures take into consideration those who are unfit or unable  to drive aswell as those unwilling to give a sample.

Commenting on these figures Head of Road Policing, Superintendent Muir Clark said ” “There is absolutely no excuse for this. Every year across Northern Ireland, drinking and driving kills, maims and wrecks families.”

In the UK, the alcohol limit for drivers is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, 35mg per 100ml of breath or 107mg per 100ml of urine. Northern Ireland’s environment minister Alex Attwood recently has outlined his proposal to reduce the drink drive limit in the country by almost half.

The clear message from all police forces is for drivers to think before they drink and get behind the wheel.

A&E staff face their busiest time of the year over the festive period. The Friday before Christmas is historically one of the biggest party nights of the year.  During the course of the year alcohol-related hospital admissions account for 40% of A&E patients however over the festive period this figure increases significantly. In some parts of the UK ambulance services will receive calls relating to alcohol injuries every 30 seconds.

In the opinion of the Secretary of State for Health, Andrew Lansley, the solution to the UK’s alcohol crisis is not minimum pricing.  The Home Office has confirmed that a new government strategy designed to tackle the UK’s attitude to alcohol will be launched early 2012. It is thought that the new policy will focus on community based alcohol partnerships.  This would allow police, trading standards and retailers to work together to target problems such as underage drinking and antisocial behaviour.

In a letter sent to a national newspaper a group of the UK’s leading doctors and academics have appealed to the Government to introduce minimum pricing in England & Wales.

The letter which is signed by the British Medical Association, the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Nursing aswell as other academic groups calls for an end to “pocket money prices” for alcohol.  They also added that Scottish plans for minimum pricing will save lives and suggest that England & Wales should follow suit. NHS figures released this week show an 11% increase in alcohol related hospital admissions in the last decade.

MPs will debate alcohol taxation today in Westminster. A new Government strategy to address problem drinking with be published in the beginning of 2012.