ON the same day that David Quarrie's letter was printed (State-run brothels, January 2), The Press printed articles on the problems caused by drunken louts of both sexes to the police and the NHS over the New Year period.

Mr Quarrie, quite rightly, I feel, has no sympathy for people who drink or drug themselves into a stupor, and, again rightly, believes that too much time, money and skill is wasted on these people.

Jason Rayner (Sad response to addicts' deaths, Readers' Letters, January 4) accuses Mr Quarrie of lack of compassion.

What about compassion for the thousands of people who look to the NHS to care for them when they are old, ill or otherwise in need of help and support, through no fault of their own, when these precious, priceless resources are wasted on people who self-harm and then expect someone else to pick up the pieces?

The NHS is on its knees, facing ever-increasing crises and financial hardship so much so that it has to fail genuinely deserving cases.

If some people enjoy drinking themselves legless and end up vomiting in the street, they should be left to drag themselves home as best they can, with no kind, sympathetic NHS to give them medical or emotional aid.

If that sounds heartless, so be it, but it is worthy cases who get every last bit of my compassion, not those who suffer by their own hands - be they smokers, drug addicts or alcoholics.

They should be last on the list when medical care is given, not allowed to block our hospitals and take up the time of skilled staff, often becoming violent in the process.

Heather Causnett, Escrick Park Gardens, Escrick, York.