Strong medicine the only solution

ONCE again alcohol has been highlighted as a major factor contributing to our health and social problems.

At the Conference on Debating Public Policies on Drugs and Alcohol in Dublin recently, it was reiterated that the most effective alcohol strategies include strong enforcement of alcohol laws and increased control of access and availability, though these tend to be unpopular.

The Association for Health Promotion Ireland supports the Minister for Health and Children, Micheál Martin, in the obvious conflict between his Department’s alcohol policy and the recent actions of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform with regards to liquor licensing.

The association calls for a joint ministerial group from the Departments of Health and Children, Justice, Environment, and Enterprise. These Ministers must act together on the ten recommendations highlighted in the Strategic Taskforce on Alcohol interim report.

Sharon Friel,

Chairperson,

Association for Health Promotion, Ireland,

NUI,

Galway