Tags:
alcohol
,
Bendigo
,
violence
,
streets
,
injury
A LEADING Bendigo doctor has delivered a stern warning on the dangers of alcohol and substance abuse following the increase in reported instances of alcohol-fuelled violence on the streets.
Bendigo Health director of Emergency Medicine Sol Zalstein has warned revellers angry outbursts and antisocial behaviour in the emergency department would not be tolerated.
“Any instance of violence or aggression in the emergency department will be fully investigated and reported to the police,” he said.
“Small amounts of alcohol are not harmful for most people, unfortunately people who drink large amounts of alcohol do things that could be dangerous while alcohol is affecting their judgment, such as driving, falling or become victims or perpetrators of assault,” he said.
“This is usually when we see them here in the emergency department.”
Dr Zalstein said consuming small amounts of alcohol was generally not harmful, however regular consumption of large amounts of alcohol or drugs could have serious, long-term effects on a person’s health.
Bendigo Health emergency department advises people to seek medical assistance if a person is unconscious and can’t be awakened, skin is cold, clammy, pale or discoloured, breathing becomes slower or a person is vomiting without waking up.
