Madam, – John Waters’s article (Opinion, September 25th) accurately reflects the reality of alcohol consumption in Irish society.
It does not hide or avoid the truth of the harm of alcohol as does your Editorial from the previous day’s edition calling on us to “raise a glass to Arthur”.
Alcohol directly causes or contributes to numerous premature and avoidable deaths every year from disease, accidents and violence. It has been shown to be causally related to more than 60 different medical conditions. The negative consequences of alcohol impact on all facets of society, from the affected individuals, their families, workplaces and communities to the medical, social and legal resources of the State. The impact that alcohol has on health and well-being is well documented as are the resultant pressures it brings on hospital services, particularly Emergency departments and their staff.
Your opinion piece celebrating “Arthur’s” achievements was written alongside an opinion on “Health cuts and patient care”. The irony! – Yours, etc,