Alcohol abuse claims 266 lives in Northern Ireland every year, doctors have warned.
With the estimated cost of alcohol misuse across society in the region standing at almost £700 million, the British Medical Association NI has called for action on the problem.
At the start of alcohol awareness week 2011, the BMA has urged restricted licensing hours, a ban on alcohol advertising and a minimum price per unit.
The association said the health service bill for treating alcohol related harm in Northern Ireland is £160 million a year and £80 million for social services.
About 140,000 sick days a year could also be attributed to alcohol misuse, it added.
Dr Vinod Tohani, chairman of the BMA’s Public Health committee in Northern Ireland said:
“The figures are truly shocking and entirely preventable. Doctors are increasingly saddened and frustrated at seeing increasing illness due to alcohol misuse in all age groups.
“People need to be supported to make positive choices to reduce their drinking and we would call on the Minister to ensure that there is adequate funding in place for addiction programmes”.
BMA Chairman Paul Darragh added: “The time could not be more opportune to tackle alcohol related harm.
“International research shows that much of the increased harm to health in times of recession is mediated through an increased consumption of alcohol. As doctors we see the harmful effects of alcohol ranging from accidents injury and violence caused by acute intoxication through to liver failure, psychosis and death”."
Derry GP Tom Black added his voice to the call for government action.
“GPs are very concerned with the increase in alcohol abuse in our community and the damage it does not only to an individual’s health but also to the fabric of our society,” he said.
“Alcohol is too cheap, too available and as a society we need to take the bull by the horns and introduce minimum pricing to reduce consumption. The alternative is more physical, psychological and social damage particularly among young people”.
Alcohol awareness week runs from today to Sunday, November 20th.
PA