Data: Boston Titles Mean More Drinks, Not Fights

BOSTON (AP) - The Boston Public Health Commission says data shows excessive drinking goes up when Boston's sports teams win championships, but it doesn't necessarily prompt more fights.

The data released Friday shows alcohol-related emergency room visits increased notably after Boston's teams won titles or held victory parades in the last decade. But, assault-related ER visits generally showed no significant increase.

For instance, after the June 18 parade for the Bruins, 21 people went to the ER because of assaults, just three more than the typical Saturday. After the Patriots' 2004 Super Bowl win, eight people made an assault-related visit to the ER, less than the average for that time.

Commission executive director Dr. Barbara Ferrer said the data shows Boston is avoiding the "horrendous" consequences of excessive drinking that has hit other cities.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)