'Alcohol doesn't drown the sorrows; it only teaches sorrows to swim'
When many healthcare professionals and others in Ireland spoke out against Arthur's Day, the message echoed around the globe.
This was a consequence of the fact that Guinness is a global brand, but also because Ireland is recognised internationally as a country where alcohol has played a leading role in both social events and disease. Our Minister for Health reminded us of that again today, when he referred to the 'social lubricant' of alcohol.
However, despite the almost constant talk of our historical 'drink culture', Ireland has only relatively recently moved to the top of the table in terms of alcohol consumption and binge drinking.
Since the 1980s, while alcohol consumption was falling in many Western European countries, our alcohol consumption increased year upon year, until reaching a peak in 2001. Since then, consumption overall has decreased, but it remains well above both recommended low risk limits and the OECD average.
The high costs of alcohol to society have been well documented.
We have seen first-hand the health impact.
The number of people dying from alcohol-related liver disease doubled between 1994 and 2008. The economic impact is evident in absenteeism and the healthcare and criminal costs borne by the state.
Binge drinking and pre-drinking have become the norm among our teenagers.
The announcement yesterday marks a radical step for this government in addressing the issue of alcohol misuse. Radical, but welcomed; not only by my colleagues and I, who advocate for health, but also by industry. Kathryn Darcy, Director of the Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland, welcomed the proposals stating: "You do not want to live in a society where alcohol is misused". Misuse is the key word. Alcohol is a drug. Many tend to forget this, particularly when it appears on supermarket shelves alongside ordinary household commodities.
Source: Frank Murray, Irish Independent, 25/10/13
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