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Andrew Matthews/EMPICS Sport

National week of sobriety and alcohol moderation announced

A ‘Dry Run’ and ‘Green Prescriptions’ will be part of the nationwide event.

ALCOHOL FORUM, THE alcohol advocacy and action group has announced the launch of a National Sobriety Week.

The group said in a statement that the announcement is timely as it comes “in a week that saw alcohol and drug-fuelled incidents take lives and make headlines”.

Seven days of alcohol awareness and recovery will take place later this year from 29 October to 4 November, with a number of nationwide events and lectures taking place to raise awareness.

The week will kick off with a ‘Dry Run’, a 5K walk and run encouraging people to get out in the fresh air and take a step towards better health. GPs will also be encouraged to write ‘Green Prescriptions’, whereby the medicine prescibed is exercise, according to Alcohol Forum’s Eamon O’Kane.

O’ Kane said:

We all understand that our drinking is almost as big a challenge as our economic woes. We are not in the business of lecturing individuals, but instead educating and advocating for a positive change to our mindset, culture and habits relating to alcohol. Our key message is moderation.

The Dry Run will also provide an opportunity for family members to come out in solidarity with someone who has had a battle with alcohol.

Column: Youth drinking problem? Perhaps we should look at ourselves>

Alcohol consumption down by 17 per cent over last decade>

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62 Comments
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    Mute Damocles
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    Jul 13th 2012, 3:35 PM

    Isn’t the week that they propose over a bank hioliday weekend?

    That’s awful planning.

    151
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    Mute Joanna Lynch
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    Jul 13th 2012, 3:36 PM

    Sober Halloween ? ? Somehow I don’t think so !

    124
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    Mute _doesnotcompute
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    Jul 13th 2012, 3:55 PM

    How about a drink to celebrate national sobriety week? ;-P

    114
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    Mute Deborah Nolan Gregory
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    Jul 13th 2012, 4:31 PM

    A nice mineral would be grand. With Finlandia.

    41
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    Mute gingerman
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    Jul 13th 2012, 3:30 PM

    Let’s ban alcohol advertising while we are at it.

    114
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    Mute Padraic Quinn
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    Jul 13th 2012, 3:39 PM

    Except the Guinness ads they are deadly

    253
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    Mute Bert Carey
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    Jul 13th 2012, 4:13 PM

    Nectar of the gods

    65
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    Mute Charles Windsor
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    Jul 13th 2012, 5:31 PM

    Let’s ban savages from Italy!

    26
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    Mute Stray Mutt
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    Jul 13th 2012, 5:44 PM

    Hi Gingerman.
    I can’t believe the amount of thumbs down at your suggestion to ban adds.
    It shows how twisted and unreasonable many attitudes are.

    32
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    Mute John Horan
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    Jul 13th 2012, 3:34 PM

    I’ve no problem with the alcohol part, anything that encourages people to drink less is a good thing in my books. And advising people to exercise is a good thing, and something that GPs do anyway. But it absolutely isn’t their place to advise GPs not to write proscriptions. (not that I think GPs would listen)

    107
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    Mute Daniel R
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    Jul 13th 2012, 4:00 PM

    Why is it wrong to advise gp’s? They’re scientists after all not ‘Devine Healers’ as is the public perception. At the end if the day they’re drug dealers for Big Pharma and they wouldn’t prescribe exercise because there’s no profit in exercise. People should take their health into their own hands and stop relying on a pill for every ill.

    43
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    Mute Bert Carey
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    Jul 13th 2012, 4:19 PM

    General practioner

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    Mute Bert Carey
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    Jul 13th 2012, 4:20 PM

    General practitioner

    3
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    Mute Celtic Lady
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    Jul 13th 2012, 6:33 PM

    GPs do listen and do invite patients to take exercise. Unfortunately many who go to the GP don’t want to hear advice on lifestyle issues like smoking drinking alcohol exercise. Many just want a prescription or a cert. They complain when asked to pay for the advice feeling that somehow if they don’t get a prescription they have somehow been ripped off. The green prescription is not a new idea although it is good that it is highlighted again. Lifestyle changes reap the best health rewards. What a great suggestion for a moderate alcohol week

    17
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    Mute John O'donnell
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    Jul 13th 2012, 3:41 PM

    I’ll drink to that… Hic.. Slainte

    91
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    Mute Matt Donovan
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    Jul 13th 2012, 3:33 PM

    Good luck with that… Excessive drinking is far too engrained in Irish culture at this stage; especially amongst our youth. Unfortunately youth is wasted on the young.

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    Mute Continent Simian
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    Jul 13th 2012, 3:59 PM

    Ditto for smoking in pubs…

    43
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    Mute Donal McCarthy
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    Jul 13th 2012, 4:09 PM

    Yes, let’s blame the young people for the excessive drinking.

    I wonder where they got the idea?

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    Mute Conor Kirwan
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    Jul 13th 2012, 4:31 PM

    An excessive drinking culture did not just come from the youth of today. The OECD published reports in the 1960s reporting ironically the highest levels of both teetotalism and alcoholism in Ireland, which were labelled ‘the Irish paradox’, it would appear an extreme attitude to alcohol has always been prevalent. To say it is a modern problem is churlish at best.

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    Mute Keith Ward
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    Jul 13th 2012, 3:55 PM

    I just dont get why the government are so strong on cutting down on binge drinking and more to the point 17/18 yr olds doing it, yet not one of them have the balls to even suggest raising the legal age to 21. Im not saying id be in favor of it, but the fact its yet to be suggested tells me they are not really serious about this….

    58
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    Mute Continent Simian
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    Jul 13th 2012, 4:00 PM

    Which reports show that raising the legal age for drinking reduces binge drinking?

    44
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    Mute the real tolstoy ಠ_ಠ
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    Jul 13th 2012, 4:02 PM

    But even in the majority of the US, where the drinking age is 21, most teenagers are drinking by 16/17. It’s as much a rite of passage over there as it is over here. The teen movies aren’t entirely wrong.

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    Mute Ciaran O HUrmoltaigh
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    Jul 13th 2012, 4:03 PM

    That’s cause they are wearing tight jeans… See last news post

    15
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    Mute Keith Ward
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    Jul 13th 2012, 4:12 PM

    Which report Simian suggests that a ”national sobriety” week reduces binge drinking too? I merely said (and i find infuriating to repeat it because you couldnt be bothered to read it properly) that the fact it has not been suggested at all is ridiculous…but yet we have ideas of national sobriety week, ban advertising of alcohol in sport, ban cheap drink in supermarkets, and drink education in schools, but not one mention of raising the legal age..

    12
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    Mute Cliff Grebouwski
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    Jul 13th 2012, 6:24 PM

    The week of sobriety and moderation is a consciousness raising exercise used to highlight the problem and try to get people to start addressing it.

    No one has mentioned raising the legal age because it’s a pretty poor idea. It would stop nothing. 15 year olds can get booze now, how would raising the age change that?

    How about prohibition? That was a great success by all accounts.

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    Mute Keith Ward
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    Jul 13th 2012, 6:47 PM

    Its a better idea than what has been suggested, also in regards to 15yr olds getting drink, that’s because they are only 3yrs away from legal age. So its likely they could be friends with or at least know an 18yr old to buy it for them. By raising it to 21, it will be harder for a young teen to get their hands on it, as your average self respecting adult isn’t going to risk giving someone alcohol who is now 6 years under legal age. So in theory the only massive widespread under age drinking that will be happening is 18/19 yr olds, which we can deal with to some extent. Id love to know how you think this is a poor idea compared to some magical themed ”sobriety week” which lets be honest the overpowering majority will not respect or even know is happening ?

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    Mute Cliff Grebouwski
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    Jul 13th 2012, 8:16 PM

    It’s not really a better idea Keith, it’s actually pointless, arbitrary rubbish.

    Your idea is so poorly thought out I’m trying to work out if you’re trolling me or not. Having looked at your twitter feed, I think you might actually be genuine. Frankly that’s pretty depressing.

    Maybe you could do some research before criticising someone else’s attempt to better Irish society, although, having heard the radio show you’re involved in, I doubt it’s one of your strengths.

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    Mute Keith Ward
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    Jul 13th 2012, 10:35 PM

    First of all congrats on managing to avoid giving any reasons why you think this sobriety thing would work better, and going straight for personal insults, if you have to resort to that to get your point across its obviously pointless debating this with you. Maybe you could elaborate where my ”research” as you put it, falls down? Or maybe why my opinion suddenly counts as research when you learn of my job? You seem like a smart guy after all you have books in the back ground of profile pic, so you must be!

    Stick to the topic in future or go back to drawing on your hand instead maybe, I’m assuming it enhances masturbation or something!

    9
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    Mute Cliff Grebouwski
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    Jul 14th 2012, 11:01 AM

    You’re right Keith, I am a smart guy, that’s why I think ideas through before telling people about them. Maybe you could try it some time.

    The flaws of your idea can be exposed pretty quickly. Applying your logic there can’t be 12 and 13 year olds getting drunk in Ireland today, this clearly isn’t the case.
    You also suggest that raising the age makes it ok for 18 year olds, who would be breaking the law, to drink. So you’re just suggesting another limit that won’t be enforced. How is that going to help anything? Why 21, why not 23, why not 25?
    Raising people’s awareness of the problem is a start, it takes the view that people can be responsible for their actions and that over time, positive changes can be made. If we simply keep trying to discipline and punish in an ineffective way, people will just act like criminals (that’s a Foucault reference by the way).

    How about (1) Restricting the amount of off licenses etc who can sell alcohol. Take it out of supermarkets together. (2) Raise the price or at least implement a minimum price that isn’t a token gesture (3) Ban alcohol advertising.

    Sure, it might take a few year to make a difference, but there’s no quick fix.

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    Mute Stuart Calton
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    Jul 13th 2012, 4:04 PM

    Sir, I don’t know how to break this to you, but you have bubonic plague. I prescribe some light exercise and healthy eating. Now that will be €50 please.

    56
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    Mute Marcus Clifford
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    Jul 13th 2012, 3:57 PM

    Ok so this will be like good friday but for an entire week? Well jesus the supermarkets will have to destock nappies and baby food so they have room for the extra beer sales.

    47
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    Mute Stephen Hayden
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    Jul 13th 2012, 5:17 PM

    Abstinence doesn’t work. Moderation is the key.

    35
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    Mute Rachel Walsh Howe
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    Jul 13th 2012, 4:24 PM

    What a joke!! That’s the mid term break and Halloween so I can’t see it working

    35
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    Mute Charles Windsor
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    Jul 13th 2012, 5:31 PM

    The Dry Run sponsored by Anabolic Steroids, Blood Doping, Benzedrine and the Pharmacological Spectrum.

    30
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    Mute gingerman
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    Jul 13th 2012, 6:17 PM

    You’re just a troll Charlie boy, get a life

    2
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    Mute Charles Windsor
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    Jul 13th 2012, 6:47 PM

    Ah yes gingerman the art of persuasion evinced through puerile name calling. You seek to convince us of the persuasiveness of your argument and your erudition by calling the Irish nation ‘savages’ and everyone that disagrees with your jejune analysis, “dumb asses”. Forgetting that when calling people ‘savages’ one is looking in the mirror and calling it to themselves, spouse, parents & children.

    Come back and do some convincing/trolling when yer all growed (sic) up.

    23
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    Mute gingerman
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    Jul 13th 2012, 4:51 PM

    A lot of smart ass comments. A lot of dumb asses too dependent on a drug to see the damage it is doing to our society??

    28
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    Mute Ciaran Morgan
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    Jul 13th 2012, 4:38 PM

    national week of sobriety and alcohol moderation? I’ll drink to that!

    26
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    Mute Pàdraig Nevins
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    Jul 13th 2012, 5:44 PM

    So how is it rubbish care to explain! I would say by your comment you are the typical guy that would purchase drink for minors without a second thought!

    6
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    Mute Anthony Hynes
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    Jul 13th 2012, 5:29 PM

    Haha, Geniuses!! Have a sober week on a week were pubs and clubs will be packed with playboy bunnies and vampires celebrating Halloween. A huge social week

    22
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    Mute Pàdraig Nevins
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    Jul 13th 2012, 4:14 PM

    Increase the legal age to 21 or we should hold responsible the person/s you supply the drink to underage kids! It’s time to get tough with issues like this! All we do in Ireland is talk about what to do! We are a
    nation off talkers not doers!

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    Mute Ciaran Morgan
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    Jul 13th 2012, 4:39 PM

    rubbish!

    29
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    Mute Thinkshpake
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    Jul 13th 2012, 5:21 PM

    Do they seriously expect us to stay sober for Halloween? Good luck!

    16
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    Mute chucky.arla
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    Jul 13th 2012, 6:42 PM

    Isn’t Good Friday supposed to be a day of sobriety? Turned out to be one of the biggest boozing days of the year!!

    14
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    Mute 1 Human Being
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    Jul 13th 2012, 4:18 PM

    Did they have to start with a week couldn’t they have done a day first then two days the following year and so on.

    14
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    Mute Barry Coughlan
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    Jul 13th 2012, 4:54 PM

    “National Sobriety Day” wouldn’t be good for the Irish stereotype :)

    19
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    Mute James Gaffney
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    Jul 13th 2012, 6:25 PM

    They took their eye off the ball there with their branding: how about call it Sober October?

    13
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    Mute Neil O'Leary
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    Jul 13th 2012, 4:52 PM

    So, just after my dad’s 60th and just before the Autumn internationals – perfect timing!

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    Mute Gabe Brolly
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    Jul 13th 2012, 6:21 PM

    abstinence does work especially for those who can’t moderate that’s why alcoholism is classed as a disease smart ass. as for prescribing exercise its long overdue. too many gp’s in pocket of big pharma. correct diet can cure all ills

    9
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    Mute G Charles Osborne
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    Jul 13th 2012, 7:07 PM

    This is correct. I had terminal bowel cancer and then I just upped my intake of green veg and cut out carbs and 3 weeks later I’m in remission. Yay food!

    23
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    Mute Frank O Shea
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    Jul 13th 2012, 10:19 PM

    Obesity is a bigger drain on our health service and on people’s health. Should we ban ads for food? Gluttony is the problem whether it’s food, drink, or anything that consumes us. Drink like food and other great things in life are there for people’s pleasure and if some people abuse these things it is the responsibility of those people and their families to sort it out. Help is available for most things in our society and if people insist on eating or drinking too much that should not be the responsibility of the state.

    8
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    Mute Joan Featherstone
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    Jul 14th 2012, 7:12 AM

    Underage drinking is nothing new, I did it and I’m in my fifties, but there seems to be a very violet element to it now. When we got merry we had a laugh, now everyone seems to want to beat the crap out of each other, that’s the difference! Not saying there were never any stabbings, fights etc. but they certainly weren’t on the scale they are lately.

    5
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    Mute Matt Donovan
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    Jul 13th 2012, 8:08 PM

    I said ingrained (as a whole) & especially amongst our youth not exclusively our youth, you can red thumb all you like but what was the age group of those at Swedish house mafia last week? & the age profile of those who were mouldy drunk & arrested was what exactly???

    3
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    Mute gingerman
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    Jul 13th 2012, 7:19 PM

    @charlie, I used the phrase, like savages in comparison. That’s not the same as saying Irish people behave like savages. And if I think they are savages I am entitled to my opinion. Have you nothing better to do on a Friday evening than follow me from a different thread and insult me?

    3
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    Mute Charles Windsor
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    Jul 13th 2012, 7:30 PM

    Nope. Or should I have started the word with a ‘D’ as in drink. Ah jez no, dat wud be savage crack!

    9
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    Mute gingerman
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    Jul 13th 2012, 7:22 PM

    P.s congrats on the showy vocabulary

    3
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    Mute John Brett
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    Jul 13th 2012, 5:19 PM

    @Daniel R, That’s exactly it, they’re scientists. Who exactly is advising them to to prescribe something other than what is normal practice? Another doctor or scientist? Doubtful. If exercise is the correct prescription for whatever the illness is then that’s what should be prescribed all the time. Not just for a week because some one from the Alcohol Foard thinks getting GPs to write ‘Green Prescriptions’ is a good tag line to promote the week.

    Eamon O’Kane I like where you’re hearts at but I’d like some fresh ideas not rehashed ineffective ideas that in no way relate to drinking. That just give the appearance that something is being done when there isn’t which is actually worse. If you want to make some attempt at least organise events for the evening and night time when people actually would be drinking?

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    Mute Jadesbar Killarney
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    Jul 14th 2012, 3:38 AM

    Is that the week before or after the mickey money

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    Mute Kelly O' Connor
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    Jul 13th 2012, 8:17 PM

    LOL

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    Mute Rebecca Kennedy
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    Jul 14th 2012, 10:18 PM

    I think it’s an amazing idea

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    Mute gingerman
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    Jul 13th 2012, 8:49 PM

    ‘ick

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    Mute Steve Staveley
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    Jul 14th 2012, 1:57 AM

    A week sober is a week lost , hic…

    1
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