Sir, – Dr Conor Farren (Opinion, January 23rd) is correct in that there is no single remedy to educate young people concerning the “scourge” which has characterised the “massive rise of alcohol consumption in Ireland over the last 15 years”. Dr Farren’s conclusion, based on empirical research, that “there were many parental techniques to reduce adolescent consumption of alcohol, including not making alcohol available to children; an attitude of disapproval of adolescent drinking; good parental drinking behaviour; good parental monitoring of children; good communications, and good parent-child relationships” is to be heeded.
But parents need help. This challenge for parents to educate young people is complicated by the influence of relentless marketing campaigns, emanating from the drinks industry, which seek to positively position the role of alcohol in our society.
In addition, the widespread availability and relative low cost are two real factors which facilitate excess alcohol consumption in Ireland. It is estimated that alcohol abuse costs the State €3.7 billion each year through illness, absenteeism and crime.
The Irish Bishops’ Drugs Initiative (IBDI) was established in 1997 as a Catholic Church response to the growing problem of drug and alcohol misuse in Ireland. Since that time more than 250 parishes throughout the country – North and South – have become involved in this pastoral initiative. Our experience in parishes informs us of the extent of human suffering faced by families in contemporary Ireland due to alcohol abuse. In this regard, IBDI welcomes the recent proposal by Minister of State Róisín Shorthall, who holds responsibility for primary care and substance abuse, to introduce legislation to enable minimum pricing for alcohol.
Alcohol is no ordinary commodity and should always be used responsibly and in moderation. IBDI believes cultural factors, and the prevalence of alcohol advertising and marketing, need to be looked at closely. Radical options should be considered such as: 1. Alcohol should not be permitted as a sponsor of sporting events or of sporting organisations; 2. Online, television and radio alcohol advertising relating to sport and youth events should not be permitted; 3. Public policy should be co-ordinated at an all-Ireland level in order to avoid price differentials for alcohol at retail level and to ensure consistent drink-driving limits and penalties across the island.
Fundamentally alcohol abuse is a public health concern which requires a unique New Year’s resolution between government, multiple-retailer, the drinks industry and the consumer to radically improve – once and for all – the Irish relationship with alcohol. Such a cross-sectional dialogue should be our starting point for 2012. – Yours, etc,