Rory O'Hanlon
Ceist:266 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Health and Children the measures he is taking to address the misuse of alcohol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4806/01]
Written Answers. - Alcohol Abuse.
Rory O'Hanlon
Ceist:267 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress which has been made in tackling the problems of under age drinking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4810/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 266 and 267 together.
The national alcohol policy was published by my Department 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 multi-sectoral 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 as follows. First, the national alcohol surveillance project was established to monitor the implementation of the national alcohol policy and second, the health promotion unit of my Department commissioned the first national lifestyle surveys, Survey of Lifestyle, Attitudes and Nutrition (SLAN) and Health Behaviour in School Aged Children (HBSC). They provide a profile of health-related behaviours including current drinking patterns. The first report was published in 1999. A follow-up survey is being conducted. This will provide useful comparative figures. Third, research is currently being carried out in relation to the impact of alcohol advertising on young people, the results of which are expected later this year. This research will inform future policy in this area. Fourth, children are targeted through the substance misuse prevention programme called Walk Tall. The programme was initially developed for the designated drug task force areas. However, the programme was extended nationwide as part of the social personal and health education curriculum which came on-stream in primary schools in September. The programme was developed and delivered in co-operation with the Department of Education and Science and the health boards and of course the teachers. Adolescents are targeted through the substance abuse prevention programme – SAPP – called On My Own Two Feet, a life-skills approach within the broad concept of the health promoting school. The programme is also part of the social, personal and health education curriculum in post-primary schools. The SAPP programme is also available for youth leaders working in local communities and at risk youth groups. Training is available for professionals and parents at community level through the regional health boards, with the purpose of helping long-term prevention of alcohol and drug misuse. Fifth, a training initiative developed in association with the drinks industry on the responsible serving of alcohol (RSA) has been established. This is a training course for those in the pub trade and hospitality industry and was developed in co-operation with the drinks industry group and CERT. Some of the issues addressed in this programme are the prevention of serving those who are under age and those who are already intoxicated. Sixth, a new campaign aimed at young high risk drinkers has just been launched. This campaign adopts a non-didactic approach, emphasising the choices open to young people and promoting a healthier lifestyle. The alcohol awareness campaign carries the slogan Less Is More – It's your Choice. It promotes alternative activities to drinking and encourages people to examine their whole life-style. The messages of the campaign will be communicated through media reporting, local community initiatives, youth organisations, and the highlighting of best practice examples of how to tackle the problem of under-age drinking.
An important element of the campaign was the development of a dedicated website, www.cool-choices.ie. The site provides factual information for young people on alcohol, myths about drinking, and facts and tips for teenagers. There is a particular focus on binge drinking and its consequences for health, relationships, life options and opportunities. Nationwide activities and initiatives will be signposted on the site and there will be links to other websites.
As part of the Less is More campaign, the health promotion unit of my Department held a special seminar recently which was attended by over 100 stakeholders – health professionals, youth groups, teachers, parents, community groups, vintners and the Garda. At local level, the Department is working with youth leaders and health professionals in each of the health board areas to identify best practice initiatives within communities that promote awareness of alcohol to young people. Many of the health boards have already developed successful programmes to tackle some of the issues, and my Department will be supporting the continuation of these.
An evaluation of the campaign will be carried out to ascertain its impact. The results of this research will inform the future direction of the campaign.