Family key to beating our drink culture

THE abuse of alcohol by parents has a greater impact on a child than advertising by the drinks industry, according to the head of the country’s only residential treatment centre for children.

Declan Jones of the Aislinn Adolescent Addiction Centre in Co Kilkenny said it did not treat any young person for drugs that it was not also treating for alcohol.

“It’s all very well saying the drinks industry have to be responsible, or the advertising people have to be responsible, and they certainly do, but I also think parents, adults, older brother and sisters, are all responsible for the culture of drink and the recreation culture that is built up around drink.”