Costs of alcohol abuse

Let me reassure Patrick O’Sullivan (Letters, Sept 5) that the enormous human cost of alcohol abuse is the key driver for Alcohol Action Ireland.

Overwhelming evidence exists of the negative impact of alcohol misuse in terms of both physical and mental illness and the many other consequences for individuals, families and society. However, by quantifying the actual costs to our economy of alcohol misuse (an estimated €3.7 billion each year), we illustrate another aspect to the high price society pays by failing to address harmful drinking.

Suzanne Costello