MPs push for study into cost of binge drinking

The PvdA wants Secretary of State Martin van Rijn (Public Health) to do a major study into the social costs of excessive alcohol consumption. The last major study into the costs of alcohol consumption was done in 2001. According to Second Chamber member Marith Rebel, the costs were then estimated at 2.58 billion euro. She says that alcohol consumption has not increased since then, but it seems to have shifted within the population groups. "I want to call on the Secretary of State to if shifts can b e seen, what the costs and the consequences are." Rebel says, "Also which diseases, which disorders, which social problems that are related to alcohol are now an issue."