MARION RACKARD,
Sir, - Kathryn Holmquist and Kathy Sheridan, in their recent excellent articles on the national alcohol crisis, have exposed the incompatible, powerful and opposing views of the various responsible stakeholders in relation to our most permanent and pervasive social and health problem.
Almost every health, educational and community organisation in this country is experiencing the consequences of harmful patterns of drinking and, not as is commonly believed, just among young people. We cannot afford to waste any more time intellectualising and debating a problem while people's health and safety is at continual risk.
As a new organisation affiliated to a European-wide network of non-governmental organisations for the prevention of alcohol problems, whose members represent youth, medical, addiction counselling, homeless services, health promotion, general hospitals, community groups, and a coroner, we call on the Government to confront the problem by speedily providing a funded and action-based National Alcohol Policy.
An unambiguous and concerted effort with considerable funding was applied to the heroin problem through local drugs task forces which have impacted directly on local communities. This was achieved through an inter-departmental strategic management initiative. No such system is in place to tackle what no one disputes is our number one drug problem: alcohol.
Our members are calling. "Time now please, time."
Yours, etc.,
MARION RACKARD, Chairperson, Irish National Alliance
for Action on Alcohol, Naas, Co Kildare.