53,000 problem drink cases in six years

Ireland still has a drink problem according to new figures which show that 53,763 cases were treated over a six-year period to 2016 and a separate study indicating the main reason for teenagers to start drinking is “to look cool in front of friends”.

The alcohol treatment figures published by the Health Research Board show that 7,643 cases entered treatment in 2016 with alcohol as a main problem drug.