Schoolgirls in Ireland have caught up with boys in binge drinking and smoking cannabis, an EU report claimed today.
In most European countries, male school students have a greater experience than females of having five or more alcoholic drinks in one session in the past 30 days.
But in Ireland, 57 per cent of both boys and girls aged 15 to 16 had drunk that amount at least once in the last month, the paper by EU drugs agency EMCDDA said.
According to the research, girls in Ireland have overtaken boys in smoking cannabis, with 39 per cent of 15-16 year olds having used the drug at some point in their lives, compared to 38 per cent of boys.
Moreover, unlike in most countries in Europe, Irish girls were also more likely to smoke the drug intensively (40 times or more in their lifetime) than boys.
In all other EU countries, apart from Finland and Norway, more boys than girls reported lifetime experience of cannabis.
Alcohol Action Ireland (AAI) today called on the Government to show leadership in tackling alcohol misuse.
AAI chairwoman Ms Marion Rackard said: "The Strategic Task Force on Alcohol produced a detailed report on alcohol in Ireland six months ago but it's been gathering dust. We are calling on the Taoiseach to set up a body with the resources to implement the recommendations of the report."
The AAI believes the Government should prioritise the STFA recommendations - including
decreasing the number of outlets selling alcohol and reducing the opening hours; introducing random breath testing; and reducing demand for alcohol by increasing prices in line with inflation.
"The gardaí should also be provided with the resources to enforce existing laws on serving alcohol to underage or intoxicated people, opening and closing hours, and public drunkenness," added Ms Rackard.
Over 70 per cent of public order offences happen between 10pm and 4am at the weekends; 98 per cent of gardaí believe alcohol is the main cause.
Alcohol is estimated to be associated with at least 30 per cent of all Irish road accidents and 40 per cent of all fatal accidents and, of those who die as a result of suicide, 55 per cent had taken alcohol prior to death.
In a 2002 survey 12.4 per cent of Irish men said that their work or studies were harmed by alcohol; the European average was 4.7 per cent.
Government Health Committee chairman John Moloney TD pledged to organise a meeting where AAI representatives can speak to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
He said: "The main issue is: is Government there to protect the drinks industry or to protect humankind in Ireland?"