Despite further confirmation this week of the toll alcohol abuse is taking on our youth, it is likely bingeing and excess drinking will continue to be glorified by many adults in our society.

Excessive drinking is recognised by medical experts as one of North's biggest health problems. The startling figures revealed that binge drinking amongst local young people is the single most pressing health issue.

A third of women, and almost half of men, have admitted to binge drinking, while 80% of teenagers surveyed had admitted drinking by the time they were 16.

Many people enjoy a drink without any problems and our hats go off to them but binge drinking or drinking heavily over longer periods of time can have very serious, indeed lethal consequences. Alcohol misuse not only harms the individual but is damaging to relationships and society in general in terms of violence and crime, accidents and drink driving. A visit to the local magistrates court any week illustrates that the majority of young defendants are in the dock because of their actions when under the influence of alcohol.

It has also been cited as a major contributor to the rising suicide level throughout Ireland. Across the six counties the number of alcohol-related deaths has more than doubled since 1994. The most recent figures show there were 255 deaths recorded as alcohol-related while there were over 8,000 alcohol-related admissions to hospitals in the North.

It is imperative that our youth be made aware that being drunk is not cool and repeated intoxication will not lead to the path of romantic, sporting or career success; rather it is the road of desolation and heartache.

There is an onus on us all as adults not only to educate and promote the risks and dangers of excess alcohol consumption to young people but also to lead by example.