Madam, - At the February launch of the Catholic bishops' pastoral letter, "Alcohol - the Challenge of Moderation", people were invited to consider reducing their intake of alcohol by a third, a half or to abstain completely for four weeks or for the duration of Lent.
The bishops' Drugs and Alcohol Initiative would welcome comments from anyone who undertook this challenge by post, to the above address, or by email to ibdi@eircom.net
Comments relating to the following would be of particular interest: the effort involved; how it affected health, relationships with family and friends; work performance; socialising; and alternative uses of time and money.
These findings will be used to inform the current work of our parish pilot initiatives which are addressing the issue of alcohol/ drug abuse at local level.
Our overall objective is to gradually change attitudes towards healthier and more responsible ways of enjoying alcohol.
"Alcohol - the Challenge of Moderation" is available in English, Irish and Polish on www.catholiccommunications.ie - Yours, etc,
Bishop EAMONN WALSH, Vice-Chair, Bishops' Drugs and Alcohol Initiative, Columba Centre, Maynooth, Co Kildare.