Dan Neville
Ceist:169 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress, if any, on the implementation of the recommendations contained in the national alcohol policy. [11001/98]
Written Answers. - National Alcohol Policy.
The national alcohol policy was launched in September 1996. It is directed at reducing the prevalence of alcohol related problems through an emphasis on moderation in alcohol consumption. Because alcohol problems are multidimensional the policy sets out multisectoral solutions requiring both environmental and individual strategies.
Since the publication of the policy, a number of elements of the action plan have been put in place. The most significant of these are: the National Alcohol Surveillance Centre has been established; a contract for a national lifestyle survey has been awarded; and, a national alcohol awareness campaign was launched on April 20 1998. The overall message of the campaign is ‘ control your drinking before it controls you’. The campaign materials consist of four posters and two radio messages which are designed to make people think about their drinking habits. The campaign is initially running for a three week period and will be repeated before the end of the year.
Work is ongoing on a number of the longer term elements of the action plan including developing the school curriculum to include a significant level of health as part of the curriculum, based on a lifeskills approach; development of policies in relation to health promotion in schools, hospitals, workplaces and campuses which would include policies in relation to alcohol use: and discussions with the drinks industry on its response to the policy, with particular reference to the problems of under age drinking and the consumption of ‘alcopops'.
It is intended to continue with the elements of the plan already commenced, and to make progress in relation to initiatives involving other Departments. Co-operation with industry groups will continue with a view to encouraging the industry to play its part in encouraging moderation in alcohol consumption. In addition, actions taken on the basis of the plan will be evaluated on an ongoing basis, so that the policy can be focused and effective.