'Happy Christmas', Says McGimpsey

There was festive cheer - of sorts - yesterday as the Northern Ireland Health Minister Michael McGimpsey encouraged everyone to enjoy the festive period, but to do it both sensibly and safely.

In the run up to the Christmas and New Year party season, the Minister re-launched a public information campaign on binge drinking, entitled 'Everybody can enjoy a drink'.

He also launched the Drinkaware Christmas tips campaign in Northern Ireland, which will see information cards and posters distributed throughout licensed premises.

The Minster said: "Christmas and New Year is a time when families, friends, communities and colleagues enjoy nights out and spend time socialising and relaxing.

"The 'Everybody can enjoy a drink' campaign, and the Drinkaware Christmas tips card, which are being distributed throughout Northern Ireland, will support people to make sensible, responsible and healthy decisions in relation to their alcohol in-take over the festive season," and added that drinking to excess can not only damage your health and wellbeing.

"All too often it can lead to people behaving in ways they normally wouldn't," he continued.

"This can have unintended and certainly unwanted consequences not only for the drinker, but also for their family, friends and colleagues.

"My message is very simple: enjoy yourself, but don't let too much alcohol turn a good night into one to forget," he concluded.

(BMcC)