Alcohol abuse costs taxpayers £900m a year
Alcohol misuse in Northern Ireland is costing the taxpayer £900 million a year, a new report has revealed.
Alcohol misuse in Northern Ireland costs taxpayers £900 million per yearThe report, called “Every Contact counts: Improving access to treatment for alcohol misuse in NI”, was launched by ministers in association with addiction charities Addiction NI and FASA and calls on a re-examination of how alcohol misuse is dealt with to relieve increasing financial pressure.
“The report launched today supports the approach set out in our strategy to reduce the harm related to substance misuse,” said Edwin Poots, Northern Ireland’s health minister. “It also helps us make the case for further investment in early intervention, treatment and support services.
“In addition, I hope the report will act as a catalyst for those working in the health service to recognise the impact alcohol misuse has and to use every opportunity to identify those with an issue and support them to overcome this.”
The cost of alcohol related harm equates to approximately 10% of the entire block grant the NI Executive receives from Westminster.
However, the report estimates that less than 10% of the population are treated for alcohol problems in Northern Ireland.
“Alcohol plays a key role within day to day life and as a result is costing NI in the region of £900 million a year and this doesn’t take into account the human cost to the individual,” said Thelma Abernethy, director of Addiction NI. “We need to educate society about alcohol and its impact. It is important that everyone is working together to help bring about a real change within society.
“Ultimately alcohol is everyone’s business.”
In August, Poots said he could “see merit” in the notion of charging a fee to patients who require medical treatment as a result of alcohol consumption.
The Republic of Ireland also faces a major alcohol “problem” despite consumption falling by 25% since 2001, Diageo and Pernod Ricard claimed earlier this year.
