Urgent action needed to curb alcohol-related woes

WE at alcoholresponse.com deplore the lack of changes in excise duty on alcohol in the budget.

This is disturbing, but sadly understandable as a finance-generating exercise.

However, this does not make the move excusable, health-wise. Alarmingly, the budgetary move lacks provision for effective action to counter the inevitable increase in problem drinking which will result. Many experts are already expressing concern about the increase of home drinking due to the financial downturn.

The prospect of effectively reducing alcohol cost without redress measures will ultimately mean a massive increase in alcohol related problems.

There has been enough talk, enough reports, and enough irrelevant studies. Alcohol-related problems increase in periods of economic downturn. Hundreds of thousands of taxpayer euro have been spent on projects and policies around this issue. We contend that much of this spending is ineffective and urgent helpful action is needed. In a time of such shortages of funds, no less indeed than any other time, it behoves us to review such expenditure and support appropriate, effective action.

Gerry Hickey

alcoholresponse.com

Adelaide Road

Dublin 2