asked the Minister for Health the number of alcoholics in this country.
Written Answers. - Alcoholism Statistics.
480.
The exact number of alcoholics in this country is not known. The World Health Organisation has estimated that around 3 per cent of all alcohol consumers could be regarded as alcoholic — this means that we can conservatively estimate that there are at least 45,000 alcoholics in this country at the present time.
481.
asked the Minister for Health in the light of the growth in alcoholism the proposals he has to combat this disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am very concerned at the level of alcohol-related problems and at the demands which these place on our health services. Yesterday I launched a comprehensive report on the psychiatric services. This report includes detailed proposals on the prevention and treatment of alcohol-related problems. It also recommends the establishment of a cross-sectoral body to draw up a national policy on alcohol consumption and problems. This is something which I will be examining with my ministerial colleagues in other Departments in the coming months.