Drink ‘may produce blighted generation’

IRELAND faces the prospect of a blighted generation if something is not done to tackle the country’s chronic alcohol problem, the Eastern Regional Health Authority (EHRA) warned yesterday.

Authority chairman Joe Doyle said it was no accident that Ireland recently moved from 12th to second position for the world ranking in alcohol consumption.

"Drink companies have specifically targeted young people and particularly girls through advertising and product development," he charged.