A report by the Mater hospital has shown that one in five patients have serious alcohol misuse problems.
Author of the report, Dr John Sheehan said that at an administrative level, alcohol misuse affects bed occupancy and re-admission rates in hospital. A random sample undertaken by Dr Sheehan showed that 13 per cent of patients admitted to the casualty department were intoxicated.
Chief Executive of the Mater, Mr Martin Cowley told ireland.comthat it was his view that the Government should take a tougher stance on alcohol.
"Advertising on television is creating a culture of drink. It’s my view that alcohol advertising should be treated like cigarette advertising and banned," said Mr Cowley.
Mr Cowley also said that late-night opening hours were brining more and more intoxicated people into the casualty wards and that some intoxicated patients visited the casualty department more often than he did.
While there were 27 reported cases of physical abuse to staff in the ward and 23 cases of verbal abuse during 2001, Mr Cowley said that there was no evidence to indicate whether these cases were alcohol-related or not.