Slainte

Drunkenness is nothing but voluntary madness. 

–Seneca the younger

When I go out walking on particularly nice days I often see young people gathered along the river in pairs and groups drinking beer or other alcoholic beverages.  Living as I do, on the docks, I awake on occasion in the middle of the night when loud and laughing drunk people walk past my building.  Last October I heard an extremely intoxicated woman jump into Galway Harbor in the middle of the night.  Worried for her safety, I got out of bed and looked out the window and saw her winter-coat wearing friend watching her from the dock.  I saw the "swimmer" half way up a ladder that leads to dry land, so I imagine she made it home cold, but safe.  

The Irish caricature is almost always a drinking or drunk person and I have taken care not to stereotype.  I have, however, wondered about the role of alcohol in Irish society.  Historically and currently, the Irish have had their share of hardship and yet they remain a warm, friendly, and welcoming people.

Last December I attended a panel discussion at the National University of Ireland, Galway on “Ireland, Alcohol, and Sexual Violence against Women.”  The Global Women’s Studies Program sponsored the panel. 

The first presenter, Dr. Stacey Scriver Furlong, discussed findings from a research project that looked at rape in Ireland.  She stated, “In Ireland, alcohol is the most common date rape drug.”  According to the study, in the rape cases that went to trial, 2/3 of the complainants and 88% of the defendants had been binge-drinking.  One disturbing story was told of a young man who consumed thirty pints of beer, returned home and raped his sister.  I find it almost impossible to imagine the trauma that family suffers.

In the last week I have seen a public service commercial on television that explains that it takes about one hour to metabolize one serving of alcohol.  After illustrating what constitutes one serving of alcohol, the commercial asks the viewer to consider if they might not be sober the morning after.  This commercial illustrates the culture of binge drinking I heard about at the panel in December. 

The presenters and audience members at the December panel view the drinking culture of Ireland to be a significant problem.  One person commented that while binge-drinking is a common problem for youth in other countries, it remains a problem for older adults in the Ireland.  Others shared that there are few social activities that do not involve alcohol.

A 2007 study* of alcohol use in Ireland found that

·      24% of 18 – 29 year olds drink 9 or more drinks on a “typical drinking occasion”

·      10% of drinkers reported drinking more than the “recommended weekly limit” of 21 drinks/week for men and 14 drinks/week for women

·      28% of drinkers reported binge drinking (defined as six or more drinks) at least once a week

·      Over half of all drinkers reported a harmful pattern of drinking

I’m not a teetotaler; I especially enjoy a glass of wine or two on occasion.  If Irish culture promotes binge-drinking, though, the consequences for personal and community health and safety are enormous.  Clearly, alcohol plays a role in sexual assault.  Alcohol is estimated to be a factor in one of three fatal car crashes in Ireland.  This does not even consider the effect of excessive alcohol use on personal relationships, and work and school performance. 

Ironically, the traditional Irish toast, “Slainte” literally means “health.” 

*Available at: http://www.dohc.ie/publications/pdf/slan_alcohol_report.pdf?direct=1