Barnardos warns of 'excessive drinking culture'

Ireland's "deep-rooted and damaging culture of excessive drinking" continues to cause huge suffering for thousands of children and families, Barnardos has warned.

The children's charity this morning unveiling a new awareness campaign, Families Under the Influence, to try to highlight the detrimental affects of alcohol abuse, both from the impact of problem drinking by parents and the increase in illegal drinking by young children.

Barnardos chief executive Mr Owen Keenan said this country is "saturated with drink", and it was the organisation's duty to try to protect children from the negative impact of alcohol.

"Every occasion from childbirth, christening, First Communion, exam results, and holidays is celebrated with an abundance of drink," he said.

The Families Under the Influencecampaign includes a discussion paper, outlining Barnardos' experience; a separate discussion paper by Dr Shane Butler of the Centre for Addiction Studies, Trinity College Dublin; and a number of recommendations from Barnardos.

The main aim of the campaign is a demand that the Government fully implement legislation on underage drinking and review its policy to tackle the problem.

Barnardos also wants a special tax to be levied on the alcohol industry to go towards investment in recreation facilities for young people, giving them an alternative social outlet to drinking.

It is also calling for an effective ban on alcohol advertising aimed at youth audiences and sponsorship of sports by drinks companies.

A huge advertising campaign will begin next month on TV, radio, cinema and billboards.