Monday 24 March 2014

HSE launches report on extent of harm caused by alcohol


One in four Irish people have experienced problems because of someone else’s drinking, according to a new report on the extent of harm caused in society by alcohol.

Alcohol’s Harm to Others in Ireland was published by the HSE today. It examined alcohol harm to people other than the drinker in three Irish settings – the general population, the workplace and children and families.

The report confirmed there is very significant harm associated with alcohol, extending far beyond that experienced by the person drinking, in each of these settings.  Women are more likely to experience family problems while men are more likely to report assaults due to other people’s drinking habits.

The overall rate of reported harms in the Irish workforce was double that in comparison to the Australian findings for each of the measures used.

Dr. StephanieO’Keeffe, National Director for Health and Wellbeing with the HSE said the report had been commissioned in response to a growing recognition of alcohol related harm.

“Significant public health and safety concerns are raised by the harm caused to other individuals and to wider society – where we see that a quarter of the population has experienced harm due to another’s drinking,” she said.

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