I agree with Anthony Tinslay first strike, second strike etc.
However, there is great precedent from Military Law, with offences such as 'drunk and disorderly' resulting in a night in the cells and a week of physical duty under restrictions. It just needs political will and preventing those who promote 'rights' over 'responsibilities' from hindering the exercise of common sense.
Increasing prices penalises the many for the offences of the few, and does not address the problem. Those that want to get blind drunk will steal or rob with violence what they need knowing they will only get a slap on the wrist. Proper penalties that hurt pocket and freedoms are the only way.
NHS should not be a staging post for habitual drunks. The young on their first outing, or the unwary who have been slipped a mickey should be treated properly - but repetition should be passed on to more severe regimes of treatment, perhaps at a separate clinic to which all drunks are moved to under escort, funded by penalties rather than the taxpayer.
