‘Our drinking culture isn’t romantic, it’s killing us’ – Cuan Mhuire
People love to talk about drink, but are we having the right conversation? The theme for Alcohol Awareness Week (19th to 25th of November) is “It’s time to talk about drinking”.
This theme gives an opportunity and indeed great flexibility to have all kinds of conversations about the health risks, social problems, stigmas and taboos associated with talking about the dangers of alcohol.
Cuan Mhuire, Ireland’s largest voluntary provider of Addiction treatment and support for individuals and their families suffering from addiction and other related issues, will on Thursday the 22nd of November host an Alcohol Awareness Week event.
It will take place in the Charity’s recently opened £7 million Regional Addiction support centre on the Dublin Road near Newry. The event which commences at 8pm and will look at various issues of alcohol addiction and its consequences.
Pat McGinn of the “Friends of Cuan Mhuire ” Group who are coordinating the event explained to Newry Times,
“On the night a panel of speakers will give their experiences and thoughts on the view “Our drinking culture isn’t romantic, its killing us”. As a society, we pay a high price for our relationship with alcohol, sometimes dubbed our ‘favourite drug’.
“The World Health Organisation is pretty unequivocal; alcohol is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the developed world. Alcohol misuse is one of the biggest public health issues facing Ireland and its impact cannot be underestimated.
He continued, “Research has shown that it costs £900m every year here in the north and almost £250m of these costs are borne by the health and social care sector. More than 1,300 lives are claimed by booze each year across this island as a direct result of alcohol consumption.”
McGinn added, “At the Cuan Mhuire on Thursday 22nd of November, we hopefully will give those present an insight to the harsh realities of addiction and alcohol misuse and challenge some of the perceptions that our society has developed and nurtured regarding alcohol.
“On behalf of Sr Consilio and Cuan Mhuire I extend an invitation to all who are interested to attend.
Further information is available from our Cuan Mhuire Regional Addiction Centre Newry at newry@cuanmhuire.ie or telephone 02830849010
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