World experts highlight true cost of drinking session

Alcohol is a serious public health issue in Northern Ireland with the estimated total cost of alcohol misuse here being in the region of £700 million. With this in mind the Health Promotion Agency has organised a major seminar, Alcohol and public health: the best way forward, to be held tomorrow at Rosspark Hotel, Kells, which will include speakers who are world-renowned experts in the field of alcohol-related public health.

Research, which will be presented at the seminar, shows that binge drinking is a significant part of the alcohol culture in Northern Ireland. Rob Phipps, Senior Health Promotion Manager for the Health Promotion Agency said: "One of the main challenges for public health in Northern Ireland is to address the issue of alcohol misuse when the majority of drinkers do not believe they are drinking more than is good for them.

"Recent research shows that 70% of adults in Northern Ireland drink. In the week before the research was carried out nearly half the men and almost one out of three women surveyed had engaged in a binge drinking session. These occurred mostly among 18-30 year olds and took place on Fridays and Saturdays.

"Evidence shows that binge drinking, especially among young men, increases the risk of strokes, as well as acute intoxication which increases the likelihood of social costs such as fights, disturbances, accidents and additional workload for the A&E departments of hospitals."

The seminar brings together a wealth of experience in the field of alcohol and public health for those currently involved in developing the action plan for the implementation of the Northern Ireland Alcohol strategy which addresses the drinking situation here. The seminar, which includes experts from Canada, Australia and the UK, will include looking at strategies that have been successful in tackling alcohol issues in other countries.

The seminar is very timely with Christmas only a few weeks away when the majority of people will be attending office parties, house parties or socialising at their local pub. While the seminar is mainly for health professionals, the Agency has taken on board the seriousness of this health issue by producing an information leaflet for the public, Focus on alcohol: A guide to drinking and health, which will be available from all Boards and Trusts later this month.

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Notes to the editor: Binge drinking is when a male has 10 or more units in one session and a female has 7 or more units in one session. 1 pint of beer = 2 units. 1 glass of wine = 1 ½ units.

The December issue of Promoting Health, the Agency's journal, focuses on alcohol and is available from this website.