The data comes as Alcohol Action Ireland is this Friday formally launching its Voices of Recovery initiative with an evening of music and arts headlined by the prestigious Dublin Gospel Choir, Nov 24, St Catherine’s Church.
22/11/23 AAI welcomes today’s Healthy Ireland survey data which shows improvements in drinking behaviours in Ireland, but this progress risks being eroded due to proposed increased opening hours under the sale of alcohol bill.
Today’s HI data shows that because of concerted efforts -public health measures driven by legislation, the Public Health Alcohol Act, there are improvements showing in how much we drink in Ireland.
However, concerns remain in the areas of binge drinking and young people’s drinking with the survey showing increased alcohol use in the age group 15-24.
According to the data, almost a quarter (24%) of the Irish population are considered binge drinkers – that is they drink 6 or more standard drinks on a typical drinking occasion.
Also concerning is the data that shows 39% of parents of children under 18 are drinking at least once a week and 21% are drinking multiple times per week.
The data in general points to a society that still considers heavy drinking to be a normal activity.
AAI is concerned that there is a policy mismatch, whereby the department of health is trying to curb alcohol use, while the department of justice, through the sale of alcohol bill, is encouraging more alcohol use across society.
The data comes as Alcohol Action Ireland is this Friday formally launching its Voices of Recovery initiative with an evening of music and arts headlined by the prestigious Dublin Gospel Choir, Nov 24, St Catherine’s Church.
The Voices of Recovery campaign is led by people in long-term recovery, with a view to influencing policy change when it comes to alcohol harm.
It aims to remove the stigma around getting help for alcohol problems and to drive evidence-based policy change on issues such as better alcohol treatment services, curbs on alcohol marketing and holding the alcohol industry to account for the harm its product causes.
Chair of Alcohol Action Ireland, Prof Frank Murray, said:
“Alcohol is an addictive substance that we as a society glorify, normalise and market – so it’s inevitable people will develop a problem. But when they do, there can be immense shame and stigma. This should not be the case. We constantly hear from the alcohol industry – whether it’s through marketing or via the media looking for tax breaks, even as their profits soar. It’s long past time that policy makers heard from the people affected by alcohol harm – the missing voice, up to now in the narrative around alcohol harm.”
Paddy Creedon, board member of AAI said:
“I am always amazed at the volunteers I meet along the way with their drive to achieve better for their peers, so am proud to be associated with this exciting new initiative. Our vision is to mobilise the recovery community into advocacy networks across Ireland and to drive evidence-based policy change. Things like better alcohol treatment services and curbs on alcohol marketing will help create a better world for us all. Everybody knows someone who needs help and support.”
“We will work together to bring about change at policy level and improve access to recovery services for all. For example, although the public health alcohol act is helping to change our relationship with alcohol, progress made is under threat from the sale of alcohol bill, which will no doubt have an impact on young people and binge drinking. We in the recovery community understand how easy it is to go down a path of unhealthy drinking. Voices of people in recovery need to be heard when it comes to policy matters.”
ENDS
Notes to editor:
Find more information about the campaign here: /campaigns/voices-of-recovery/
The campaign includes well-known recovery advocates: Olympic boxer Kenneth Egan, Senator Frances Black and singer Mary Coughlan.
