Alcohol-related social harm ‘does not bode well’
The study by the Health Research Board — entitled Social consequences of harmful use of alcohol in Ireland — maintains that alcohol-related social problems, such as violence, public disturbance, poor work performance and family problems, are imposing a serious burden on society.
According to the study, published yesterday, drink-driving offences increased by 74% between 2003 — 2007, from 11,421 to 19,864.
And that men accounted for 90% of drink-driving offenders.
Other alcohol-related offences such as drunkenness, public disorder and assault rose by 30%, from 50,948 in 2003 to 66,406 in 2007, the study found.
The typical offender was a young man aged 24 years or under. Half of all offences were committed at the weekend — and just under half of adult offences occurred between midnight and 4am, with a peak at 2am.
Dr Deirdre Mongan, research officer at the HRB and co-author of the report, said not only was alcohol consumption related to 60 medical conditions and led to premature death from disease, accidents and injuries, the social consequences were also becoming clear.
The report also reveals that one in four people experienced negative consequences as a result of someone else’s drinking, such as family trouble, financial problems, assault, vandalism or being a passenger in a car with a drunk driver.
“Social problems are not confined to young people alone. Personal drinking habits are having an impact at all ages,” Dr Mongan said. “Survey research has also shown that one in five people said they experienced harm to their friendships, home life or work, or were involved in fights in the previous year, as a result of their own drinking.
“The likelihood of this happening was highest among those who engaged in risky drinking every week and lowest among those who did not engage in risky drinking at all.
“This is not a coincidence.”
Co-author Dr Ann Hope said it was important to remember that alcohol-related harm is not restricted to the drinker.
“The drinker’s personal choices are affecting their family, innocent bystanders and the wider community. It is important that people think about their drinking habits, not just in relation to their own health, but also in terms of the impact they have, or may have, on others,” she said.
“The need to reduce the level of alcohol-related harm in Ireland has been emphasised in recent years. In March this year the Government approved the development of a combined national strategy to address alcohol and drug misuse. It is essential that this strategy is implemented in a comprehensive and co-ordinated way.
“We need a clear structure in place, with people given responsibility to ensure that the strategy is acted on.”
