Sir, - Your report of the proceedings of the National Alcohol Policy Meeting at Dublin Castle (The Irish Times, November 21st) confirms that alcohol consumption in Ireland has increased by more than 40 per cent, though it has fallen in nine other countries in the European Union during this period.
Chief Supt Catherine Clancy said alcohol was a factor in 88 per cent of public disorder cases, 54 per cent of criminal damage cases and 48 per cent of offences against the person. Thirty per cent of hospital admissions are attributed to alcohol or alcohol-related causes - a major factor in the difficulties in our health delivery system.
Ireland has the worst record in the EU for underage drinking and it goes without saying that alcohol abuse has a baleful effect on many families.
I shared with some of the meeting's delegates the gloomy view that health workers and concerned voluntary organisations were only scratching the surface of the problem without the genuine commitment of politicians from all parties and without the support of public opinion.
It is clear that pervasive advertising has played a major role in the rapid increase in alcohol consumption in Irish society, particularly among the young. Its adverse influence can be dealt with only by our political leaders. We also need effective legislation and implementation of the current laws on the availability of alcohol to the young, just as we need a long-term national education programme.
The Minister for Health and Children, Mr Micheβl Martin, and his Department appear to be committed to an effective alcohol policy, but one wonders what the other members of the Cabinet feel about the issue. The failure of the Government and the political parties to face the reality of the alcohol problem has serious implications for our society and is quite incomprehensible.
Many people profit by the sale of alcohol, but there is no reason why the trade cannot continue to survive in an ambience of sensible drinking in which we enjoy its benefits while we protect our young and society from its serious consequences. - Yours, etc.,
Prof Risteard Mulcahy, MD, FRCP, FRCPI, The Palms, Roebuck Road, Dublin 14.