Government must not back-pedal on proposed alcohol strategy

The reports that Government ministers are back-pedalling on the proposed alcohol strategy are very disappointing and I hope untrue.

Staff who work in student support services in higher education are seeing at first hand the impact of the widespread availability of cheap alcohol.

In particular, staff who work in student health centres, counselling services or as chaplains, are witness to the serious harm that many young people do to themselves, or others, as a result of drink-related incidents.

The problem does not appear to be improving.

A recent, excellent piece of research by the Student Health Centre in University College Cork showed that alcohol consumption by female students has now caught up with that of their male counterparts.

This will have long-term damaging effects to their physical and mental health.

I think that ministers have to understand that alcohol companies are not sponsoring sporting and music events from a sense of community spirit. Sponsorship of these events is a clear way to target young people.

Increasingly, our alcohol companies are using social media to target our young people.

A report from 2010 showed that four of the top ten Irish Facebook pages were for alcohol brands.

By reducing the amount of alcohol consumption in Ireland, the Government have an opportunity to significantly improve the health and well-being of Irish people, reduce the caseload in our A&E units, and at the same time to address one of the major causes of anti-social behaviour on our streets.

I sincerely hope they make the right decision.

Brian Gormley

Chairperson Confederation of Student Services in Ireland

DIT

Rathmines

Dublin 6