Mr Chairman,
I sent you similar comments a few years ago and I am sure that we are all disappointed that the same issues remain relevant around the chronic issues of alcohol sales. I am part of a newly forming group of Private Therapists and others of such status constantly confronted with the negative side effects of alcohol. We expect that the group will be high-profile, pro-active and fully in place by June. My co-members of the group have asked me to write to you so as we can at least make a contribution to the debate even though we are not yet formally set up.
I have little time to devote to this submission as I work as a professional private therapist inundated with requests for appointments. However the fact is that for over 20 years I worked with problem drinkers, their families and others in their lives, I feel obliged to continue to advocate change at every available opportunity. Frequently, Clients present with signs of serious stress, anxiety or depression. In a study of my practice, over a 12 month period, in over 68% of cases the Client either grew up in a home seriously affected by alcohol, was involved in a relationship with someone damaged by alcohol or were themselves using alcohol in an unhealthy manner.
Despite the expenditure of tens of millions in trying to tackle our chronic alcohol problem the message appears to have little effect. Why?
Alcohol fueled public order offences and attendance at Accident and Emergency departments, excessive drinking and driving are frequently the symptoms of a deeper alcohol problem. So too is alcohol fueled domestic violence. Many, if not most problem drinkers, will drink and cause harm no matter how heavy the penalties are. They will continue to kill and maim people on our roads as well as terrorise and agonise those they live with.
Their primary concern is in feeding their obsession with alcohol and I have seen homes, jobs, marriages and any shred of personal dignity scarified for this.
By not constantly challenging and naming this behaviour as serious problem drinking we are effectively enabling it to continue.
Frequently we only address the consequential nuisances and in doing so we fail to treat the core issue of problem drinking. This is the reason why things have gotten progressively worse and many appear unable to understand this!
Acknowledging the reality mean accepting that people who repeatedly offend and / or are harmed while under the influence of alcohol are problem drinkers, alcohol dependent or addicts, whichever you prefer to use.
For many years I have found it necessary to constantly challenge the spin and untruths perpetrated by those minimising the negative effects of alcohol. I have had some success including a number of radio and TV interviews, newspaper letters, the placing of a parliamentary question in 2004 and an oral submission to the Dail Select Sub-Committee for Health and Children in 2005.
Unhappily, it seems the message of concern frequently falls on deaf ears or at best gets a nodding, patronising acknowledgement. This leads me to speculate that there are real fears of tackling the problem itself and of the producers, promoters and providers of alcohol. It is vital that we move beyond this fear.
Confronting our denial and enabling regarding the country’s chronic alcohol problem would be an important first step. Perhaps this is where your advisory can play a vital role. As the country’s chronic alcohol problem is everybody’s problem it is imperative that all are included in the solution. Yet it is so disheartening to see more and more profiteering around alcohol regardless of the product’s negative side effects or lip service paid to the problem.
With this in mind I suggest the following:
- · On the matter of the increased number of exemption orders I have no doubt that these ought to be curtailed and reduced rather than increased.
- · This dove-tails with the issues relating to "the use, adequacy and effectiveness of existing sanctions and penalties" and here again I am of the opinion that these need to be more rigorously enforced and indeed an entire new set of financially based penalties could be considered.
- · I suggest that the proceeds of such penalties could be channelled towards private therapists and charities like myself who often professionally look after those negatively effected by alcohol for little or no reimbursement.
- · Under no circumstances ought alcohol be used as a "lost-leader" by any food or general merchants provider.( half price wine is frequently used by Dunnes, Tesco and one of the greatest offenders is now Superquinn )
- · Under no circumstances ought alcohol to be advertised in conjunction with everyday, non drug based commodities. (Currently this gives the impression that alcohol is just another necessity one picks up on a visit to the local supermarket.)
- · There ought to be a separate, confined area reserved for the sale of alcohol. (I believe this is the law but it is bent so much these days that the distinction is really not noticeable.)
- · All places where alcohol is available for take-away have information, prominently displayed and freely available, regarding problem drinking and its effects on the drinking and those close to them. Details of helplines, centres and fellowships are notably displayed on this material. (Ironically one has to justify the purchase of a few headache pills and is given a fully explanatory leaflet concerning contra-indications)
- · I am also of the opinion that there is a need for some form of acknowledgement for non-drinkers and we could encourage that this be part of any "sensible and responsible" advice alcohol providers could offer.
- · I saw some reports concerning the possibility of increased age limits. I think this is a “red-herring”. Not alone would we be sending mixed messages to young people but we would be effectively encouraging them to buy alcohol for those a couple of years younger which, I believe, they would have no hesitation in doing.
Sunday Independent
Sun March 25th 07
Letters Today
Time to take on those who deal in alcohol
Sir - It is disappointing, but not surprising, to see still the high rate of drink-driving cases despite the deterrent measures introduced.
Symptoms of a deeper, chronic, societal alcohol problem are manifested in many areas. Drink-driving is not an isolated consequence and it's time we stopped treating it as such. Domestic violence, child neglect, violent behaviour, chronic psychological and physical problems are all manifestations of this.
For problem drinkers, consuming alcohol is their primary aim and they will do so irrespective of the negative consequences.
This is a societal problem as much as it is theirs. And using the 'nanny state' opposition as a tactic to ignore this is no longer relevant. There is ample evidence to show that in the area of alcohol consumption boundaries need to be set and enforced for the common good. Sadly, most problem drinkers will drink and drive no matter how heavy the penalties are. They will continue to kill and mutilate people on our roads. By not challenging this possible magnification of problem drinking on an individual basis we are effectively enabling it to continue.
There is a persistent need for continuous, widespread education as to what constitutes an alcohol problem and how the drug affects our society so insidiously. Coupled with this education, effective intervention could be implemented.
Currently by not challenging this drinking behaviour on an individual basis we are effectively enabling it to continue.
It is also time we took on those who deal in alcohol. Allowing them to lecture problem drinkers on 'sensibleness' and 'responsibility' is not healthy. Their campaigns are frequently the equivalent of telling a dog not to bark. Selective promotion of alcohol while ignoring the social carnage it causes is in itself grossly irresponsible and shows a miserable lack of sensibility.
We desperately need measures to curb the advertising and availability of cheap alcohol. The recent promotions run by certain supermarkets over the holiday weekend were nothing short of despicable. They show wanton disregard for the common good in pursuit of profit. Furthermore, allowing them to avoid accountability, leaving those affected to stumble towards recovery unaided is a blatant shirking of civic and moral duty.
We are shocked by high-profile media cases relating to alcohol abuse, but rest assured that these are only the tip of a gigantic iceberg. The drug alcohol is far more insidious and socially destructive than we appear to be capable or willing to understand.
In all the advertising campaigns, I have never once heard it said that some people ought not to take alcohol at all.
Now, for many, that would be the most sensible and responsible advice alcohol providers could offer.
Many are simply unable to control their drinking and ought not to partake at all.
GH.
Finally I sincerely hope that we will now see some positive, effective action being implemented. With the greatest of respect I think most of the suggestions are already in place and now it is time for serious action.
I make my suggestions based on substantial time, effort, considerable experience and suggestions freely given in the hope that they will to be taken seriously and acted upon. I would have no problem expanding on the suggestions further if asked.
I would appreciate acknowledgement of this email.
Yours sincerely,
Gerry Hickey.
