Should hospitals have the burden of bedding drunks in the ER & Psy. wards?

In the old days, if you had too many and was a danger to yourself or others. YOU GOT THROWN IN JAIL..to sleep it off. Now, drunks are being shipped to the hospital and taking up valuble space in the ER rooms. Oh and by shipped, I mean by AMBULANCE! That's right, when you call 911 and wonder whats taking so long it's because they are busy bringing a drunk to the ER so he can comfortably sleep it off in a room at the ER. Is that right!?

Here is my 'facts'. I'm an EMT for a local Town in MA. I have been for 4yrs. I get very upset with this protocall, because when I bring in a 9yr. old who broke his wrist...I don't like putting him on a hallway strecther because some guy had too many and needs a room at the ER. This is in Massachusetts, I know RI does the same thing.

I happen to agree with you. I am a nurse and it sickens me that drunks are allowed to sleep it off in the hospital. I have seen real sick patients stuck in the hallway while the bubble brain snores off his disgusting habit. I don't drink and never had. I can't even stand the smell of that junk. The drunks are the ones that should have to sleep in the hall. In fact, they should be in jail like you said. It's a waste of taxpayers money because most of these drunks don't work therefore, we foot the bill. Maybe we should start some kind of organization against this. What do you think?

You don't show any sources for your information, I doubt the veracity of your claims. Come back with some facts.

I have never heard of it here in Washington. I have been a volunteer fireman and my son is a med tech at an ER. If it is that much of an issue, get some real numbers together (all the time won't cut it) and take it to your local state legislator.

of corse

That is terrible! I have actually known someone who was drunk and they were forced to go to the hospital and they were told that they could not leave until it was proven that her blood alcohol level was not too high. Thank God it wasn't. But if it was she would have been stuck there awhile. This is a total waste!!!
I have already complained of the effects the alcoholic has on our society in another question so I will not put everyone through that again. But this really needs to stop. There are more serious emergencies to be worried about.