Alcohol plays major role in spiral of killing

Alcohol abuse is severely damaging our health, but the Government has no action plan to combat the spiralling problem.

A damning new survey published by health authorities yesterday paints a bleak picture of the violence, injury and death fuelled by increasing abuse of alcohol.

The report, the largest of its kind ever produced here, found that consumption rose by almost 3pc last year.

And it highlighted serious shortcomings in the Government's response to the problem.

Unlike the war against drugs or tobacco, there is no national plan in place to tackle the growing problem.

In a damning indictment of the Government's failure to tackle the problem, the 'Alcohol Related Harm in Ireland' report demands:

* Effective plans to cut alcohol abuse.

* A national watchdog to ensure the policies work.

* A system to monitor alcohol-related harm.

The report said: "The dramatic increase in alcohol related harm does not bode well for the future health and wellbeing of the population in Ireland."

Spelling out the frightening toll of alcohol abuse on the streets, in homes and hospitals the report revealed:

* Over 25 years homicide mortality rates increased, peaking in 1998. But after a fall for for three years there was a steep rise in 2006.

* Between 1996-2002 public order adult offences rose by a massive 247pc -- after falling they increased again.

* Between 1990 and 2006, 2462 people were killed on the roads between 4am and 9pm -- the time most associated with drink driving.

* A survey found 44pc of all people said they suffered harm as a result of their own or someone else's alcohol use.

* Almost half of men and over a quarter of women believed drinking alcohol had contributed to them having sex without contraception. Reported sexually transmitted diseases went up by 217pc between 1995 and 2004;

The report goes on to say that the risk of harm to babies because their mothers are drinking while pregnant is rising.

Alcohol related cancers will more than double between 2005 and 2020 -- this is worrying because much of the rise will come from young and middle aged drinkers.

A detailed examination of crime files show almost half (46pc) of all killers were intoxicated, while alcohol is a contributory factor in 36.5pc of all fatal road crashes.

The report points out the recommendations of the Government's Strategic Task Force on Alcohol (STFA) have been endorsed by the HSE.

However, there is no national structure with specific targets or timelines in place to implement them.

"Alcohol related harm will not be reduced unless action is taken. Delaying the necessary action increases the growing burden of harm for everyone in society," the report added.

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