Putting the spotlight on ‘binge drinking’

Today the Health Promotion Agency is putting the spotlight on binge drinking at a major seminar in the Rosspark Hotel in Kells. The seminar will focus on local, national and international experiences and includes speakers from the USA, Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and England.

In Northern Ireland around 150 people a year die from diseases directly linked to alcohol misuse and a further 650 die because of diseases or injuries related to alcohol. The social cost of alcohol misuse in Northern Ireland is estimated to be £700million and now there is recognition that the increasing phenomenon of binge drinking is a major contributor to these human and financial costs.

Rob Phipps, Senior Manager of Programme Development for the Health Promotion Agency, explains:
"Binge drinking is acknowledged as a major health issue across many sectors in Northern Ireland but to date there has been little debate or discussion on tackling the problem. This seminar will widen the forum for defining, understanding and addressing binge drinking as a public health issue."

The seminar is considering the question ‘Binge drinking - Northern Ireland's real drinking problem?' and has attracted over 200 participants, including representatives from education, the community and voluntary sectors, local councils, local and regional justice agencies, the alcohol industry and the hospitality sector.

Rob outlines the nature of the seminar:
"We are facilitating an in-depth look at this issue and are bringing together both sides of the coin: speakers with drinks marketing experience as well as those who have studied the effects and rise of binge drinking across many cultures. The day will finish with an open discussion between the panel and delegates. We intend to use this seminar as a catalyst for informed discussion on binge drinking that will continue outside of and beyond today."

The seminar will provide an overview of regional and local efforts to address this issue and help the various organisations work together to tackle binge drinking across Northern Ireland.

Rob continued:
"One of the main challenges for public health in Northern Ireland is how to address the issue of excessive alcohol consumption when many drinkers do not believe their level and pattern of drinking exceeds safe and responsible limits."

END

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 1/2 units.