Paul Keenan
Education remains the key element in tackling Ireland’s binge drinking, a spokesman for the bishops’ body on alcohol awareness has said.
Speaking to The Irish Catholic this week following the release of dramatic new figures for Irish people’s annual consumption of alcohol, Darren Butler, national co-ordinator of the Irish Bishops’ Drugs Initiative said that educating people on “moderation” in drinking is vital in leading to a change in our attitudes to alcohol.
Wine
Latest figures on alcohol consumption released by the Health Research Board reveal that rates currently stand at an equivalent per person of 46 bottles of vodka, 130 bottles of wine, or 498 pints of beer annually.
Despite the figures, Mr Butler said “In some ways people are afraid to talk about the issue of drinking as most enjoy a drink”. He added that “shock ads don’t always work because people see them and say ‘well, that’s not me’”.
Education on moderation and the health implications of alcohol abuse was the answer, he argued.
“Education is key, and everyone has a role,” Mr Butler stressed.
He pointed towards changes in our attitudes towards smoking as proof of what can be achieved in relation to alcohol.
“If we can do what we did in reducing smoking, we can do it with alcohol,” he said.