New health board chief lambasts drinking culture
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.
He said the committee had worked well in the areas of education, treatment and prevention.
Education was through the schools and their own education office. Treatment was available through Arbour House, which the SHB funds, and voluntary organisations.
Prevention was through agencies, such as the gardaí and sports clubs.
“It is a constant battle, but one of the innovations the health board has launched is the Addictive Studies Course, from which 25 people graduated last year and we hope to have the same numbers this year,” said Mr Wallace.
The one-year course has attracted people involved in youth organisations and prison officers, but it is open to the general public.
“Unfortunately it is socially acceptable to get drunk, and people must take responsibility for their own actions,” he said.
Mr Wallace takes over chairmanship of the health board, which has a budget this year of €941m and 10,000 employees, from Cllr Batt O’Keeffe.
While a new A&E department is planned for Cork University Hospital, the consequences of our drinking culture is having a detrimental effect on the service , especially at weekends.
Mr Wallace outlined his commitment to progressing the health services in Cork and Kerry and said he looked forward to working with chief executive officer Seán Hurley, the senior management and health board staff.
Mr Wallace has been a member of Cork City Council and the SHB for 12 years.
During that time he was lord mayor from 1999 to 2000 and he also served as chair of the Community Care Committee.
Dr Catherine Molloy was re-elected to serve as vice chairman.
