JOHN McCORMACK,
Madam, - Alcohol advertising promotes drinking as wholesome, fulfilling, life-enhancing and eminently desirable. The images in a recent television documentary of a young woman, in a well-lit street at night, scarcely able to stand; of young people comatose in an overcrowded hospital A&E department; of violence on the streets - these conveyed another side of alcohol.
The trouble is, we have been getting the advertisers' message day in and day out for years - and getting it interlaced with our favourite TV programmes. What if highly popular programmes were as regularly interlaced with images of the downside of alcohol use. As it is, we are getting a very one-sided, highly distorted and highly dishonest message.
We pay a high price for this. We need to do more than wring our hands. - Yours, etc.,
JOHN McCORMACK, Mount Vernon, Culmore, Derry.
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Madam, - Our health Services are overstretched as it is without being abused by drunkards at weekends. These people should be admitted to large warehouses staffed by attendants and nurses. Let them throw up and sober up any way they like without taking up time, energy and space needed for those who are ill through no fault of their own. They are a disgrace to their country - and an expensive disgrace at that. - Yours, etc.,
PATRICIA JOYCE, Leopardstown Road, Dublin 18.
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Madam, - Is Cllr Andrews (December 4th) referring to the many sporting clubs, which, even in his own constituency, run weekly alcohol-free "junior discos" for the benefit of their members and non-members alike? These clubs are to be applauded for their initiative in offering an alternative social scene for young people, away from intoxicating beverages.
If not, and if he is aware of a club that is serving alcohol to those under the age of 18, should he not be reporting such incidents to An Garda Síochána rather than to the Letters page of this publication? - Yours etc.,
KEITH MARTIN, Adelaide, Sandymount, Dublin 4.