COST OF ALCOHOL-RELATED ILLNESS PUT AT #325M

Alcohol-related illness, accidents and absenteeism cost the Exchequer more
than #325 million annually, the Minister for Health said yesterday.

The costs to the economy are huge, said Mr. Cowen, who was speaking at the
launch of a national alcohol awareness campaign.

Additional demands were put on our health services, social welfare services,
the Garda and the courts, he said. Alcohol, its use and abuse, played a huge
role in Irish society. "I am launching a campaign that seeks to create an
awareness of the potential which alcohol misuse causes," he said.

The campaign is mainly directed at young people. Figures for the prevalence
of alcohol abuse among this section of society are not available from the
Department of Health. However, according to a Department spokesman, the
results of a national life-style survey being carried out will provide
important data on this section.

The message of the campaign is "control your drinking before it controls
you". It will take the form of advertisements and radio messages, designed,
according to Mr. Cowen, to make people think about their drinking. "Was it a
great night if I can't remember a thing? Could I have played a better
football or rugby match if I didn't have those extra few pints last night?"

The campaign was developed following the National Alcohol Policy launched in
September 1996.

Mr. Cowen said the aim was to have sensible drinking accepted as the norm.
"This implies a radical change in our attitude to alcohol consumption." For
those of us who drink it means accepting that "less is better".

Alcohol, uncontrolled and used irresponsibly, had the potential to cause
much damage and hardship. "This is the downside and we see examples every
day," said Mr. Cowen.

Cancer of the liver, as well as other cancers, effects on the developing
embryo and foetus, as well as other diseases affecting the cardiovascular,
respiratory, nervous and reproductive systems are all associated with
excessive alcohol consumption.

Speaking at yesterday's presentation, anti-alcohol campaigner Dr Mick
Loftus, the Mayo county coroner, said it was an excellent campaign,
particularly since it was aimed at prevention.

Dr Loftus said alcohol abuse was a "serious problem" among young people and
that up to 80 per cent of 16-year-olds drink. "They start at 13 and 14 years
and get drunk at least twice a year. It takes away their youth. The problem
seems to be much worse than it was," he said.