:: press release ::

November 10, 2008

ALCOHOL ABUSE CANNOT BE IGNORED

East Antrim MLA Alastair Ross has today called on tougher laws to ensure that alcohol is not specifically promoted to young people and said that young people should be aware of the health problems associated with binge drinking.

Speaking ahead of the debate at Stormont tomorrow Mr Ross said,

‘There are disturbing statistics available which show the extent to which alcohol is being abused by young people in Northern Ireland. We cannot let the misuse of alcohol to continue unnoticed whilst so many young people readily accept a binge-drinking mentality.

It is not about telling people what to do; it is not even about telling people what to drink and what not to drink. What it is about is the fact that with continued ignorance the health of our young people is being left to deteriorate at a startling rate.

More and more people under the age of 30 are already showing signs of early stage liver disease; there has been a staggering 95% increase in terms of under 18’s being admitted to Accident and Emergency on 2002 figures. Over the past 5 year’s, 648 under 10’s were hospitalised and more than 24,000 children under 16 were hospitalised as a result of alcohol abuse.

The emerging ‘get drunk quick’ culture is a frightening reality which can no longer be ignored. Our young people need to be protected by the law where possible and led by their parents’ enforcement the rest of the time.

We must pave the way to ensure young people change their attitudes towards alcohol as many do not consider the very serious damage to their health, not to mention the violent behaviour which can occur as a direct result of alcohol intake in a growing amount of incidents on nights out.

Tougher laws against those who sell drinks to underage people must be enforced. And there is also merit in controlling the excessive ‘Happy Hours’ and deals on cheap drink often offered to students. Young people must come face to face with the dangers of abusing alcohol and take responsibility for their actions and health.