Alliance backs campaign to cut binge drinking

10.07.01am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 16th Oct 2006

Strangford Alliance MLA Kieran McCarthy

Alliance Chief Whip Kieran McCarthy MLA has endorsed a campaign to stop binge drinking which was launched today. The Health Promotion Agency has launched a series of hard-hitting ads to show that even just a few drinks can cause long-term damage to people's health.

The Strangford Assembly Member said: "It takes less drinks than many people think to cause long term health damage on a night out.

"This campaign is aimed at showing people that they can have a great night out without going over the top.

"Five pints is the equivalent of a binge for men and four pints is the equivalent for women. Almost 50% of men and 35% of women binge drink at least once a week.

"Binge drinking can lead to cancer, heart disease, and severe liver problems.

"Drinking responsibly will help people in the long run and will also benefit the NHS, because they will have less patients with alcohol-related illnesses to treat.

"People who are going overboard on drink might be having a good night out but they are storing up long term health problems from themselves. I am glad that this campaign will inform people about long-term health issues regarding what they might consider only moderate drinking."

ENDS