Are the British Heavy Drinkers?

First off, let me assure all of you that I mean no offence with this post.  I love England, and have had thoughts of living there.

Hovever, I've gotten the impression that the British drink pretty heavily, and getting drunk--"pissed," as they'd say!--is a big preoccupation for many of them.  And I'd like to have your opinions on this.

There are a lot of alcoholics in the uk, believe me I visit a lot of them!! but i'm not sure we have anymore than anywhere else in the world. I think the press make a lot of the stories sound much worse. most places are pretty calm, and drinking is a good natured social event every now and then rarther than a mass brawl following 20 pints. (although this does happen in some places) It all depends which social circles you mix in, a pint after a walk is heaven, or a few glasses of wine with a meal, or even a few drinks with friends. A lot of the problems arise from teenagers growing up and going through that wierd stage, and just getting drunk, it doesn't happen all over and at all. I also think we have a bad press abroad at some of the package holiday resorts, but again its the few ruining it for the majority. We're not all bad.

The following is an article that appeared in today's issue of my local paper, the Washington Post.  It confirms my views on this issue:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/22/AR2007122201981.html?hpid%3Dtopnews&sub=AR

Not everyone in England is like that. I work for the Ambulance service as a paramedic and have to go out to lots of these drunks, and i must admit it does get depressing, but there are lots of 'normal' people too. Unfortunatley 'normal' people doing ' normal' things don't make news stories, so we only hear about the bad, this leads some people to think its normal behaviour for some reason, so it seems to become acceptable. It's breaking the NHS, and although it is a minority, they cost us all an awful lot of money, 2 police crews, 1 Emergency ambulance, an overnight stay in an A&E department etc..  costs a fortune.. But please after saying all that, i've probably painted a very bleak picture, this is only a minority, I just happen to see a lot of this minority. England is a lovely place and most people friendly and well behaved, its just a shame the bad side of it travels so far afield

(Checking out my window)  No heavy drinking going on in my back yard!

Shifting blaime doesn't negate the basic point I'm making.  You can look at your own magazines and newspapers to confirm it.