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I have outlined my concerns on alcohol releated problems and the
measures being taken by my Department on a number of occasions. My Department
is already involved in a wide range of partnerships with other Government
Departments and bodies in an effort to tackle the issue of alcohol use
by young people.
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. Children are targeted through the substance
misuse prevention programme called 'Walk Tall'. Adolescents are targeted
through the ‘On My Own Two Feet' programme which forms part of the Social,
Personal and Health Education curriculum.
The National Youth Health Promotion Programme with support from the
Health Promotion Unit, initiated a national project which provided opportunities
for young people (14-16 years) to explore their relationship with alcohol.
The Health Promotion Unit of my Department is currently engaged in a
three year Alcohol Awareness campaign entitled Less is More - It's your
choice. Some phases of the campaign have focused on ;
· those who buy or supply alcohol to those underage with a poster and
radio messages with the theme of keeping children safe from drink.
· third level students in the restaurants of colleges with some facts
on alcohol and a reminder that alcohol can affect one’s finances, studies
and health.
· 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.
A National Working Group on Alcohol Consumption in Higher Education
was established by the heads of universities and third level institutions
to formulate a response to a growing concern about alcohol promotion
practices on campus, high risk drinking among students and its impact
on student academic achievement and student attrition. A framework for
the development of a college alcohol policy was developed by the National
Alcohol Policy Advisor who is a member of the Working Group and each
third level institution can adopt the guidelines to reflect the needs
and aspirations of their own campus environment.
My Department is represented on a number of alcohol-related European
Union and World Health Organisation committees and contributes to a
wide range of policy positions including that on the legal age to consume
alcohol.
International research has repeatedly highlighted the issue of alcohol
related injuries. A pilot study carried out by Dr. John Sheehan, Consultant
in Liaison Psychiatry at the Mater Hospital showed that alcohol was
a contributory factor for one in four patients attending the A&E
Department. I recently announced funding to allow this study to be expanded.
It will now be conducted in five major hospitals; the Mater Misericordiae,
St. Vincent’s University Hospital Dublin, Cork University Hospital,
University College Hospital – Galway and Waterford Regional Hospital.
It will be conducted on the basis of a WHO protocol in line with eight
other countries.
In addition to measuring the proportion of alcohol related attendances
in A & E, the study will provide information on the patterns of
alcohol related injuries and the context in which consumption had taken
place. Materials will be developed and piloted to assist accident and
emergency room staff in assessing and coding the degree of alcohol intoxication.
It is expected that the study will take approximately one year to complete. |