Real cost of drink abuse will be felt in 20 years

WE’RE LOSING the battle against alcohol, but the real cost of damage being done by alcohol misuse in Ireland will be felt over the next 20 years, an international expert has warned.

Dr Ann Hope, of Trinity College and a former member of the EU expert group on alcohol and health, also said the Celtic Tiger and poor policy choices by the Government have contributed to the high level of alcohol-related harm.

“We are losing the battle against alcohol-related harm, but the real cost will be felt over the next 20 years,” she said.