90% of young people drink alcohol

NINE out of 10 young people drink alcohol, with many boozing more than once a week, a survey revealed yesterday.

Colm Markey, the national president of Macra na Feirme, said many young people are ignoring the dangers of drinking to excess.

Around 57% of people questioned for the Macra na Feirme survey did not consider they were binge drinking unless they had 10 or more alcoholic drinks.

“Irish attitudes to alcohol consumption certainly need to change and this can only be done by targeting our young people and highlighting the dangerous effects of over-use of alcohol,” Mr Markey said.

A study of 300 people aged 17 to 35 showed only 10% were non-drinkers.

Around 24% admitted to drinking alcohol on average once a week. Half of young drinkers are boozing more than once a week.

Only 20% agreed with the World Health Organisation definition of binge drinking as consuming six or more standard drinks in a single session.

Some 53% admitted that, on at least one occasion, they had gone out at night and got so drunk they could not remember how they got home.

Mr Markey said the study showed a worrying trend among young people.

He said: “It has recently been revealed that alcohol-related problems are costing the State an estimated €3 billion a year.

“Furthermore, many people do not really consider the long-term health risks such as liver disease, heart disease and certain forms of cancer.”