<p>Huge mistake in the short-term or in the long-term? The 1,000 deaths you might prevent by notification are not guaranteed. Even with those deaths as given how many more people would not be able to know about their disease and seek treatment out of fear of notification? However, I do not believe that alcohol consumption is comparable to a communicable disease such as AIDS. You can’t “spread” alcohol poisoning. The most important concern, should be, that people who need immediate care receive it; all other concerns are secondary. For that reason you need to make calling an ambulance a process that does not have any significant consequences. Problems with excessive drinking (that do not directly harm others) are self-inflicted. Therefore, it is the individual who should have the ultimate choice over what would be best for them(in dealing with their drinking problem). I would not be against punishing individuals who hurt others in some way because of their drinking.</p>