<p>The Department of Health (1), in its Health of the Nation document, has set targets for the reduction of alcohol consumption and accidents related to alcohol intake. 'This has implications for A&amp;E staff since research shows a significant association between high blood-alcohol concentrations and attendance at A&amp;E departments (2), and for clinical management, which is often confounded by the potentially disruptive and violent behaviour associated with intoxication (3).</p>