New health board chief lambasts drinking culture

THE new chairman of the Southern Health Board has warned the falling age profile of drinkers will result in huge problems for society.

Describing underage drinking as a major problem, Cllr Damien Wallace said the age had fallen to 15 but blaming the drinks industry in isolation was not the solution.

“It is not about pointing the finger at any one sector,” said Mr Wallace, who also holds the position of chair of the Committee on the Prevention and Treatment of Alcohol and Substance Abuse of the health board.