Alcohol in society - We need to end this blind love affair

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern’s defenders have had, possibly after one of his torturous days at Dublin Castle, referred to his achievements to try to reassure us that he is a great statesman rather than something much shabbier and mundane.

His role in re-establishing normality in the north and his part in creating the conditions that utterly changed our economy are undeniable but his announcement that he intends to confront the role alcohol plays in demeaning our society makes those achievements look like the minor game: an interesting, brisk opener but not at all the main event.

Our love-hate relationship with drink has become so deeply rooted in our culture, our social lives and, it is not over-egging the pudding to suggest this, our psyche, that reshaping that relationship is a task of huge proportions and urgency.

It would be wonderful if Mr Ahern and his colleagues were to confront the issues that contribute to our growing fondness for drink and the often lethal consequences of that dedication. Be it the availability of cheap alcohol, extended opening hours, tacit acceptance of binge drinking or marketing campaigns aimed at young people, there are plenty of issues to resolve.

It would be easy and right to welcome such initiatives but that welcome is overshadowed by Mr Ahern’s government’s track record. As the professor of public health at Trinity College Dublin, Joe Barry, pointed out yesterday a report from the Task Force on Alcohol recommended as far back as 2002 that access to alcohol should be made more difficult.

Exactly the opposite has happened.

The number of off-licences increased by 35% in a mere two years — between 2003 and 2005 — a rise of 785 to 1,070. This is bound to have consequences and, along with stricter attitudes to drink driving, has increased home drinking and, possibly, domestic violence.

Prof Barry also pointed out that measures to control the marketing of alcohol were promised five years ago but they have yet to materialise.

We have no difficulty in suggesting all sorts of initiatives but delivery seems to elude us. Let us hope this proves to be an exception as everyone, except those who sell drink, would be happy to see us regain control of our relationship with alcohol.

The vast majority of us behave responsibly towards drink and the Taoiseach was right when he pointed out that each individual is responsible for their own behaviour. However, it would be very welcome if there was a meaningful effort made to change the behaviour of those who cannot control the impact alcohol is having on them and on the lives of those around them.