IF IRISH people halved their current alcohol consumption to the upper limit of recommended drinking levels, the health costs to the exchequer for hospital beds would drop by €80 million a year, according to newly-published research.

ALCOHOL abuse is a "serious social problem" and a "gateway" to the abuse of other substances, the new drugs minister has said.

JUST four out of 200 independent retailers who are licensed to sell alcohol are taking part in an industry-operated scheme regarding the sale of alcohol.

A NEW mandatory breath testing regime to combat drink driving came into force yesterday. The measure makes it mandatory for gardaí to conduct breath tests at the scene of a collision where someone has been injured and requires medical attention.

The Irish Medical Organisation has welcomed the implementation of new legislation that will enable Gardaí to test drivers for the presence of alcohol at the scene of road traffic collisions.

ALCOHOL has been a key contributory factor in the dramatic increase in the incidence of sexually transmitted disease among young people in Kerry and Cork over the past 10 years.

IRELAND’S problem with alcohol and prescription drugs remains largely hidden because we are too accepting of substance abuse, a community activist said yesterday.

THE RISE of mighty merlots, stonking sauvignons and potent pinots has been a defining feature of our recent love affair with wine. And as the taste has got ever bigger so too has the alcohol.

How many millions of euro do we spend as a nation warning young people against the dangers of drink? I wonder if we're wasting most of it. Messages from Government and State agencies often centre on health risks.