Drinking game tragedy conceals wider malaise

The tragic deaths of young people as a result of the internet drinking game are giving rise to a media flurry of shock headlines.

No doubt, this will ease up in a week or two, but the families and friends of these unfortunate youngsters will bear the pain of loss for a long time to come.

While the media’s reaction to such a spectacular form of alcohol abuse is to be expected, it ignores the extent and seriousness of alcohol abuse in our society.

The shock-horror response to the neknomination is a distraction from the widespread alcohol abuse that lies at the root of so much domestic and street violence, road accidents, sexual aggression towards young women, family breakdown and physical and mental illness.

Furthermore, it is a very real distraction from the power that vested interests can exercise to ensure that they continue to make vast profits from the sale of alcohol.

Dr Michael J Loftus

Crossmolina

Co Mayo