Families reveal physical and financial impact of alcohol

THE physical and financial cost of Ireland’s relationship with alcohol was spelled out when a survey showed that one in 11 people had reported that they or a family member had been assaulted by someone under the influence of alcohol in the past year.

The finding was part of a survey of more than 1,000 people conducted on behalf of Alcohol Action Ireland, which at a conference renewed calls for measures such as minimum pricing of alcohol and limits on the number of off-licences.

The survey also found that 45% of people had actively sought to avoid people or places where drinkers were known to gather, while 12% said they had been verbally abused by someone who was drunk. A similar percentage had been in a serious argument because of someone else’s drinking.