Teen drinking report - Stats are a wake-up call

Despite Ireland’s love affair with alcohol, it is alarming to learn that 10% of senior cycle pupils in secondary schools up and down the country have a drink problem.

According to the latest report, they are drinking at “dangerous levels” while another quarter of students are engaging in “problem drinking”.

The results are to be seen in the classroom in terms of moderate to severe depression, which will inevitably negatively impact their academic performance and lives.

This is further evidence, if it were needed, of just how serious the drink culture has become in this country. The issue here is not the use of drink but rather the abuse of drink, especially at an age which foreshadows even greater problems in later life. It is a timely wake up call.