THE IRISH EXAMINER 10-12-1009

Alcohol abuse will get much worse after tax cut

Friday, December 11, 2009

THE changes in excise duty on alcohol in the budget are disturbing but, sadly, understandable. Yet, alarmingly, the budgetary action lacks provision for effective action to counter the inevitable increase in problem drinking which will result.

Many experts are already expressing concern about the increase of home drinking due to the financial downturn.

The prospect of reduced alcohol cost without redress measures will ultimately mean a massive increase in alcohol-related problems. Dealing with the consequences is not dealing with the real issue, and daily we are reminded of those consequences.

Surely they present an ideal opportunity for prospective educational intervention around alcohol intake? Brief intervention at garda stations, colleges and A&E wards would go some way towards at least naming the problem directly with abusers and giving them the opportunity to take positive action.

It should not be too difficult and would be eminently cost effective to devise a manner of making it appealing for patients or those under arrest to partake in the process.

And what of those trapped within the ripple effects of someone else’s problem drinking? Men, women and children can suffer for a lifetime from the horrendous negative side-effects of a family member’s drinking.

They too are frequently left abandoned in alcohol’s trail of destruction, afraid, unheard and unaided.

There has been enough talk, enough reports and enough studies. Alcohol-related problems increase in periods of economic downturn. Hundreds of thousands of taxpayers’ euro have been spent on projects and policies around this issue.

We contend that much of this spending is ineffective and helpful urgent action is needed.

In a time of such shortages of funds, no less indeed than any other time, it behoves us to review such expenditure and support appropriate, effective action.

Administrator
www.alcoholresponse.com

THE IRISH TIMES 10-12-2009

Reaction to Budget 2010

Madam, – The changes in excise duty on alcohol in the Budget are disturbing, but sadly understandable. Yet, alarmingly, the Budget lacks provision for effective action to counter the inevitable increase in problem drinking which will result.

Many experts were already expressing concern about the increase of home drinking due to the financial downturn. The prospect of reduced alcohol cost without redress measures will ultimately mean a massive increase in alcohol-related problems. Dealing with the consequences is not dealing with the real issue and daily we are reminded of those consequences.

Surely there is an ideal opportunity for prospective educational intervention concerning alcohol intake? Brief intervention at Garda stations, colleges and A E wards would go some way towards at least naming the problem directly with the abuser and giving them the opportunity to take positive action. And what of those trapped within the ripple effects of someone else’s problem drinking? Men, women, and children can suffer for a lifetime from the horrendous negative side effects of a family member’s drinking. They too are frequently left abandoned in alcohol’s trail of destruction, afraid, unheard, and unaided.

There has been enough talk, enough reports, and enough studies. Alcohol-related problems increase in periods of economic downturn. Hundreds of thousands of taxpayers’ euro have been spent on projects and policies relating to this issue. We contend that much of this spending is ineffective, and urgent, helpful action is needed. In a time of such a shortage of funds, no less than any other time, it behoves us to review such expenditure and support appropriate, effective action. – Yours, etc,

Administrator,

Alcohol Response Ireland,

Sunday Business Post 15th March 2009

Have a dry St Patrick’s Day
St Patrick’s Day will shortly be upon us, a day that is seen by many as an excuse to indulge in an orgy of alcohol abuse. It is imperative that we do not see irresponsible drink promotions associated with this festival.
Similarly, it is vital that any proposed health cutbacks should not affect frontline efforts to tackle our society’s deep-rooted alcohol problem. Because of the substantial tax take from sales of alcohol, there may be an insidious temptation to ignore the horrendous side-effects for those directly and indirectly affected.
Alcohol-related problems increase in periods of economic downturn, so cutbacks in frontline services would be counter-productive. The fact is that alcohol-related problems already cost Irish society about €3 billion a year, and the emotional cost is incalculable.

www.Alcoholresponse.com

Sunday Independent December 21 2008

Sir — As more and more reports on alcohol consumption show us sliding towards horrendous societal and health problems there are serious questions to be asked of those in highly paid positions who are refusing to take the necessary steps to tackle this problem.

Until now, much of the lobbying, begging and cajoling to do something about this has been done by financially starved voluntary organisations and concerned individuals.

There has been enough talk, there are enough reports and it is now time for drastic action. Curbs on advertising and curbs on availability can be implemented with the stroke of a pen, subject to political willpower.

Why are these measures still only being flirted with?

It appears that many low-volume drinkers, while aware of the issues, remain silent for fear they may be leaving themselves vulnerable to be questioned on their own consumption. It is time for these drinkers to take that risk. It is estimated that in excess of 30 per cent of drinkers fall into the “problem drinking” category in varying degrees. Problem drinkers attach great importance to their drug. They will go to any lengths to get it, irrespective of price or availability.

Drunk drivers, alcohol fuelled attendances at A&E and public order offences presenting at Garda stations provide ideal scenarios for structured opportunistic, educational interventions in a cost effective manner.

These interventions will always raise the question of a problem to the fore for the abuser and those close to them and hence will be a success in themselves regardless of outcome.

This Christmas it would be naive to assume that problem drinkers would reduce their consumption of alcohol because of economic restraints. More likely other more essential family needs are to be sacrificed to fund cheaper alcohol choices.

We need the committed, pro-active help of the 70 per cent or so low-volume drinkers to force the implementation of measures to halt this slide.

www.alcoholresponse.com