Light-hearted references to rehab truly make a joke of addiction

The way in which the swanky and posh refer to having a spell in what they call re-hab makes something of a joke of the seriousness of such an experience. There is nothing glamorous about being in such places.

Thousands of Limerick families, city and county, are beset with drug and alcohol problems which, for many of the sufferers, means a spell in a treatment centre, or hospital, where they are helped to cope with their addictions.

Alcoholism is recognized by the World Health organization as being in the top three killer diseases and for which there is no known cure other than abstinence.

That something will have to be done to curb the excessive drinking by many there is absolutely no doubt. Maybe the predicted hard financial times will play a part in lowering consumption. I have long believed that the best way to tackle this problem is by considerably increasing the price.

The Government Advisory Group, headed by Limerickman Gordon Holmes, is to probe the possibility of increasing the age limit at which alcohol can be purchased from 18 to 21 as it is in America.

It might help. But I doubt it greatly. All sorts of citizens rights could be invoked if such a move is introduced.

The bottom line for me lies with the individual. It will have to be brought home to people that alcohol seriously damages the health of an excessive user.

The sale of cigarettes carries a health warning. Why not the same for alcohol? Compel the drink companies to launch new glasses with the health warning engraved on the glass. It might, just might, help people to think of the consequences of excessive drinking!

Any measure that the Government might introduce to prevent excessive alcohol use would be welcome. There is little point in cutting back the hours in which alcohol can be purchased nowadays with the arrival of so many off-licences.

They are as entitled to be in business as any other undertaking. There is nothing illegal in what the vast majority of them do.