Alcohol under the spotlight after judge's comments

The demon drink is rarely out of the news, and the past week has been no exception.

In Clonakilty, a judge hearing licensing applications cited public concerns about underage drinking at events for teenagers, while across the sea, British newspapers reported rapturously — and without critical questioning — that almost a third of English people in the 16 to 24 age range never touch a drop.

Does this suggest there is something to be learnt from our neighbours? Perhaps not.

The judge’s comments merit attention. Underage drinking is a serious matter. The English report, however, was based on data taken from an annual health survey, the methodology of which entails interviews. In other words, people are asked if they drink and, if so, how much.

Their answers are taken as gospel, written down, the numbers are computed, and we are told England’s youngsters are on the wagon.

There are, however, data analysts who suspect that 50 % of the folks who take part surveys are very economical with the truth, choosing to lie because they want to appear better than they are, or because they know what the socially desirable answers are ... or because lying to researchers seems like harmless fun. There are survey results that need to be taken with a pinch of salt, or a dram.