Cree calls for renewed efforts to combat alcohol abuse

Ulster Unionist MLA for North Down and Northern Ireland Policing Board member Leslie Cree has called for renewed efforts to combat the misuse of alcohol in Northern Ireland. Recent figures show that 46% of arrests this year until 19^th August 2009 were alcohol-related. This amounts to nearly 10,000 individuals. 77% of arrests on weekend nights are alcohol-related.

Mr. Cree said, "I am concerned that excessive alcohol consumption is an integral part of the modern culture of the United Kingdom. It can be said without any doubt that alcohol consumption has increased. Alcohol abuse appears to have reached epidemic proportions.

"There is no doubt that alcohol consumption - especially heavy consumption - is a significant factor in criminal and disorderly behaviour. The recent figures from the PSNI are startling - certainly, alcohol-fuelled violence has become synonymous with weekend closing times at pubs and clubs. Over three quarters of weekend arrests are alcohol related - this is a tremendous waste of resources, both human and financial. I am sure the public believe that our money could be better spent.

"My colleague, the Health Minister Michael McGimpsey, recently informed Members that 286 people died as a direct result of alcohol in 2008. He also stated that alcohol is 62% more affordable today than it was in 1980.

"Marketing and advertising clearly needs to be directly targeted in order to drive down this epidemic. It has been reported that the UK alcohol industry spends around £800m on marketing. This figure together with the affordability of alcohol undoubtedly are factors in the escalating abuse of alcohol in the UK.

"Alcohol abuse affects the very fabric of our society in both the short- and long-term. Society needs to socially regulate the culture around alcohol and take collective responsibility for our health and for the future health of our young people. Furthermore, alcohol-fuelled crime cannot be allowed to become a growing trend. The police must be more strategic in how they tackle more serious violent crime and develop more preventative practices to reduce the possibility of violent attacks in the first place."