New Strategic direction for Alcohol and Drugs - Phase 2

The cross-departmental strategy to reduce the harm related to substance misuse in Northern Ireland, known as the New Strategic Direction for Alcohol and Drugs (NSD) Phase 2, was launched in 2012. This is the third annual report of progress against the outcomes and indicators set out in that document. For the first time, this annual report also includes progress against the medium and long term outcomes included in the NSD Phase 2. This should help focus action over the next two years of the strategy’s delivery. (*the first two update reports are also available online: http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/pdf_version_-_nsd_phase_2_update_report-_marc... and http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/nsd-phase-2-2nd-annual-report-june-2014.pdf).   The report is structured as follows: • Chapter 1 sets out the background to the development of the strategy; • Chapter 2 summarises the revised approach taken in the NSD Phase 2; • Chapter 3 provides an update on the key indicators available since the last report; • Chapter 4 shows progress on the outcomes in the NSD Phase 2; and • Chapter 5 provides a summary and concluding comments  

The Health Behaviours in School Children (HBSC) survey 2014

The Health Behaviours in School Children (HBSC) survey 2014 shows that overall health levels are good. There are encouraging findings on consumption of fruit and vegetables, teeth cleaning, and a drop in smoking levels and consumption of sweets and soft drinks.  However, many children said they find it easy to get cigarettes, too many children are going to bed hungry, and there are concerns about levels of cyber bullying. A total of 13,611 pupils were surveyed with questions on topics like general health, food and dietary behaviour, exercise and physical activity, self-care, smoking, use of alcohol and other substances, bullying including cyber bullying, and sexual health behaviours.

Parental alcohol use and resilience in young people: A study of family, peer and school processes

Funded by HSC R&D Division, Public Health Agency Parental alcohol misuse or ‘hidden harm’ presents a very significant challenge to public health policy and practice in the UK and internationally. A parent’s alcohol problems can have a profound impact on their children. Children depend on their family to meet their physical, psychological and social needs, their economic security and well-being, all of which can be jeopardised by parents misusing substances (NACD, 2011). The prevalence of parental alcohol misuse is extremely difficult to estimate, due to the ‘hidden’ nature of the problem within the family unit. Approximately 40,000 children in Northern Ireland are estimated to live with parental alcohol misuse (DHSSPS, 2008). In the UK, 30% of children (3.3 to 3.5 million) under 16 years, live with at least one binge drinking parent and 22% of children (2.6. million) with a hazardous drinker (Manning et al., 2009).