WITH binge drinking costing the NHS £1.7 billion each year, which is paid for by us the taxpayers, it gives me great pleasure to see in our city centre at the weekends North Yorkshire Police out in force. They act as a deterrent and give security to young people on their nights out.

The police presence will surely help to stem the rising tide of problems that relate to binge drinking, and by doing this, it will save money by reducing the problem of people drinking to excess which puts pressure on the NHS and its finances.

Terry Smith,

Fourth Avenue,

Heworth,

York.

Updated: 10:21 Tuesday, October 04, 2005