Damage from Alcohol Increasing

A new report on alcohol-related harm in Ireland shows that not only does alcohol have a negative impact on the drinker’s health, it is also playing an increasing role in harm to others, including violence, murder, road accidents and pregnancy.

The Alcohol-Related Harm in Ireland report was launched last week by the Health Service Executive (HSE). It provides an overview of more than 30 recent studies on alcohol consumption.

Some of the key findings of the report include:

• Individual alcohol consumption is up 2.7%;
• 28% of all injury attendances in A&E are alcohol-related;
• Alcohol is a contributory factor in 36.5% of all fatal crashes;

• 46% of those who committed homicide were intoxicated at the time;
• 44% of all respondents had experienced harm by their own or someone else's alcohol use;
• In 25% of severe domestic abuse cases, alcohol was involved.
• Almost half of men and over a quarter of women agreed that drinking alcohol had contributed to them having sex without contraception.
• The Coombe Women's Hospital found that 63% of women drink alcohol during pregnancy, with 7% drinking 6 or more drinks per week.

Dr Joe Barry, HSE Population Health Directorate, said; "This report shows that alcohol related harm is not only confined to the negative consequences experienced by the drinker, such as illness and disease, but extends to others as well, which too often can lead to physical injury or even death. Inevitably, this also causes strain on health services and its staff who have to divert resources to treat avoidable alcohol related injuries and conditions."

The report called for a set of integrated polices with measurable targets to reduce alcohol-related crime.

A series of new laws designed to combat alcohol misuse are currently being drafted by the Government as part of the Intoxicating Liquor/Public Order Bill 2008, which, it is proposed, will be brought in before the summer.

The report can be viewed at www.hse.ie

Posted Monday 1st May 2008