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Substance Misuse.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 July 2004

Wednesday, 7 July 2004

Questions (243, 244)

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

239 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of programmes which have taken place in relation to under age drinking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20742/04]

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Written answers

My Department is involved in a wide range of partnerships with other Government Departments and bodies in an effort to tackle the issue of under age drinking.

My Department, in partnership with the Department of Education and Science, has developed a social, personal and health education, SPHE, programme, which addresses the issue of substance misuse in the schools setting.

Education programmes have been developed so that young people may be more informed and better equipped to make informed decisions when faced with the issue of alcohol.

In accordance with action 43 of the national drugs strategy, the Department of Education and Science in partnership with the health promotion unit of my Department and the health boards, has issued guidelines for developing a school substance abuse policy to all primary and post-primary schools.

The national youth health promotion programme with support from the health promotion unit of my Department initiated a national project which provided opportunities for young people, 14-16 years, to explore their relationship with alcohol. Training is provided for youth leaders to ensure the implementation of this initiative.

The health promotion unit of my Department has recently completed a three year alcohol awareness campaign entitled Think Before You Drink — Less Is More. Some phases of the campaign focused on those who buy or supply alcohol to those under age with a poster and radio messages with the theme of keeping children safe from drink.

The responsible serving of alcohol, RSA, programme is a training initiative which was developed by the health promotion unit in association with the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland specifically for those who work in the bar trade and hospitality sector. The aim of the programme is to limit harm in the drinking environment by not serving to intoxicated customers, encouraging the use of age cards to prevent under age people from being served and promoting alternative strategies to reduce drink driving.

One of the recommendations of the strategic task force on alcohol, which I established in 2002 to make evidenced based recommendations to prevent and reduce alcohol-related harm, concerns limiting the exposure of children and adolescents to alcohol advertising. The Cabinet has approved a draft general scheme for an Alcohol Products Bill for the control of advertising, sponsorship and sales promotions-marketing practices. Work is ongoing on its preparation.

The task force is currently finalising a second report which will bring forward a further set of recommendations aimed at tackling the problem of alcohol misuse.

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

240 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans he has to work with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism to develop a joint initiative in relation to an advertising campaign or a co-ordinator of legislation in relation to the issue of under age drinking, particularly in view of the recent announcement by GAA task force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20743/04]

View answer

I have expressed my concerns about the misuse of alcohol by young people on a number of occasions. I established a strategic task force on alcohol in January 2002, whose remit is to recommend specific, evidence-based measures to Government to reduce alcohol related harm.

The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism are represented on the task force. The task force has made a number of recommendations in its interim report, which include measures on legislation, advertising and education. An inter-departmental group was established to co-ordinate the responses of the various Government Departments to the recommendations. The Departments of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Arts, Sport and Tourism are also represented on the inter-departmental group.

One of the recommendations of the task force concerns limiting the exposure of children and adolescents to alcohol advertising. The Cabinet has approved a draft general scheme for an Alcohol Products Bill for the control of advertising, sponsorship and sales promotions-marketing practices. Work is ongoing on its preparation.

The task force is currently finalising a second report which will bring forward a further set of recommendations aimed at tackling the problem of alcohol misuse.

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