Priorities For Action 2002/03 (PDF 108 KB)

Priorities For Action 2002/03

Priorities For Action 2001/02 (PDF 77.3 KB)

Priorities For Action 2001/02

Strategy for Reducing Alcohol Related Harm (PDF 1044KB)

Alcohol, used responsibly and in moderation, is a normal and enjoyable aspect of everyday life for most people. Everyone is familiar with the wide variety of social settings in which it is consumed, ranging from casual enjoyment or relaxation to celebratory and ceremonial occasions. This widespread use of alcohol means that the manufacture and retailing of alcohol products, and its distribution through bars, clubs, restaurants and off-licences involves an estimated 32,000 jobs, both full and part time. The economic significance of this to society here is obvious. åÊ

Investing for Health - Consultation Paper

Investing for Health aims to improve the health of our people and reduce inequalities in health. It sets out a broad range of areas where new and concerted action could make a significant difference to health and wellbeing. Three priority groups are identified; the very young, children and young people, and older people. In line with best practice elsewhere a settings approach is proposed, and homes, schools, workplaces and communities are identified as priority settings. As part of an integrated lifestyle and lifeskills programme the priority topics identified include; smoking, physical activity, eating for health, harm related to alcohol and drug misuse, mental health, sexual health and accidents. åÊ

Working Together To Reduce The Harms Caused By Alcohol Misuse: Report of the Working Group on Alcohol Misuse

The overall aim of the National Alcohol Policy, launched in 1996, is to reduce the level of alcohol-related problems and to promote moderation for those who wish to drink. This report complements the work of the Strategic Task Force on Alcohol (STFA) which takes primarily a public health approach as outlined in paragraph 1.1 of the Second Report of the STFA which states that â?othis approach, endorsed by the WHO, recognises that alcohol contributes to a range of health, social and behavioural problems- in terms of its toxicity, its potential to create dependency and its negative impact on human behaviour. The overall level of alcohol consumption and the predominant pattern of drinking in the population, are predictive of alcohol problems in any given society. Therefore, alcohol policy must take into account the total drinking population when defining the scope of public health action as well targeting high risk groups and individual high risk drinkers.â?Âù Download the Report (PDF, 202kb)

Adolescent drinking patterns across countries: associations with alcohol policies.

Early consumption of full servings of alcohol and early experience of drunkenness have been linked with alcohol-related harmful effects in adolescence, as well as adult health and social problems. On the basis of secondary analysis of county-level prevalence data, the present study explored the current pattern of drinking and drunkenness among 15- and 16-year-old adolescents in 40 European and North American countries. Data from the 2006 Health Behavior in School Children survey and the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and other Drugs were used. The potential role of alcohol control and policy measures in explaining variance in drinking patterns across countries was also examined. Policy measures and data on adult consumption patterns were taken from the WHO Global Information System on Alcohol and Health, Eurostat and the indicator of alcohol control policy strength developed by Brand DA, Saisana M, Rynn LA et al. [(2007) Comparative analysis of alcohol control policies in 30 countries. PLoS Med 4:e151.]. We found that a non-significant trend existed whereby higher prices and stronger alcohol controls were associated with a lower proportion of weekly drinking but a higher proportion of drunkenness. It is important that future research explores the causal relationships between alcohol policy measures and alcohol consumption patterns to determine whether strict policies do in fact have any beneficial effect on drinking patterns, or rather, lead to rebellion and an increased prevalence of binge drinking.

Minority Report by Mature Enjoyment of Alcohol in Society Limited

MEAS (Mature Enjoyment of Alcohol in Society Limited) is an alcohol social responsibility organisation committed to tackling the problems of alcohol abuse and misuse. A registered charity, MEAS works in partnership with Government, with other appropriate bodies, including An Garda Siochana, the Road Safety Authority and local authorities and with the alcohol industry to promote the responsible marketing, retailing and use of alcohol in Irish society. Click here to download PDF 176kb

Effect of a Road Safety Training Program on Drivers' Comparative Optimism

Reducing comparative optimism regarding risk perceptions in traffic accidents has been proven to be particularly difficult (Delhomme, 2000). This is unfortunate because comparative optimism is assumed to impede preventive action. The present study tested whether a road safety training course could reduce drivers' comparative optimism in high control situations. Results show that the training course efficiently reduced comparative optimism in high control, but not in low control situations. Mechanisms underlying this finding and implications for the design of road safety training courses are discussed.

Factors associated with favorable drinking outcome 12 months after hospitalization in a prospective cohort study of inpatients with unhealthy alcohol use.

BACKGROUND: Prevalence of unhealthy alcohol use among medical inpatients is high. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the course and outcomes of unhealthy alcohol use, and factors associated with these outcomes. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 287 medical inpatients with unhealthy alcohol use. MAIN MEASURES: At baseline and 12 months later, consumption and alcohol-related consequences were assessed. The outcome of interest was a favorable drinking outcome at 12 months (abstinence or drinking "moderate" amounts without consequences). The independent variables evaluated included demographics, physical/sexual abuse, drug use, depressive symptoms, alcohol dependence, commitment to change (Taking Action), spending time with heavy-drinking friends and receipt of alcohol treatment (after hospitalization). Adjusted regression models were used to evaluate factors associated with a favorable outcome. KEY RESULTS: Thirty-three percent had a favorable drinking outcome 1 year later. Not spending time with heavy-drinking friends [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.14, 95% CI: 1.14-4.00] and receipt of alcohol treatment [AOR (95% CI): 2.16(1.20-3.87)] were associated with a favorable outcome. Compared to the first quartile (lowest level) of Taking Action, subjects in the second, third and highest quartiles had higher odds of a favorable outcome [AOR (95% CI): 3.65 (1.47, 9.02), 3.39 (1.38, 8.31) and 6.76 (2.74, 16.67)]. CONCLUSIONS: Although most medical inpatients with unhealthy alcohol use continue drinking at-risk amounts and/or have alcohol-related consequences, one third are abstinent or drink "moderate" amounts without consequences 1 year later. Not spending time with heavy-drinking friends, receipt of alcohol treatment and commitment to change are associated with this favorable outcome. This can inform efforts to address unhealthy alcohol use among patients who often do not seek specialty treatment.

Action Cancer

The pharmacist will hold sessions with particpants to raise breast awareness in the Ardoyne and Shankill areas and provide information on health issues they want more detail on. Five essions were carried out by the pharmacist on women's health - mainly breast awareness with 53 women attending in total. The pharmacist gave health related information to the women and discussion followed. Each group attending were unique and each discussion brought up different concerns and interests. Cancer Lifeline a community group attended the session and have since made links with the pharmacist and Action Cancer.

You, your child and alcohol

You, your child and alcohol is a booklet that offers parents advice and guidance on how to discuss alcohol with their child and encourages them to think about how their relationship with alcohol can influence their children. During June 2010 this booklet was distributed to GP surgeries, pharmacies and local Tesco stores. Community Safety Officers and Police are also distributing the booklet in many areas. You, your child and alcohol is part of campaign developed by the Public Health Agency, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Office and the Northern Ireland Policing Board to tackle the issue of underage drinking.

PHA/HSCB Hidden Harm Action Plan

This joint PHA/HSCB Hidden Harm Action Plan - Responding to the needs of children born to and living with parental alcohol and drug misuse in Northern Ireland, has been prepared for the DHSSPS in response to the PfA target on Hidden Harm. The plan was approved by DHSSPS in October 2009.

PHA reinforce sensible drinking in Alcohol Awareness Week

Recent health figures show that 20% of adults surveyed admitted to drinking over the weekly alcohol limits (1)so the Public Health Agency is using Alcohol Awareness Week (14-20th November) to reinforce the importance of drinking sensibly and staying within safe alcohol limits.Government guidelines on safe drinking are 21 units per week for males and 14 units per week for females. Staying within these limits is important as excessive and binge drinking can lead, in the short term, to increased risk of accidents, antisocial behaviour, impact on relationships, unplanned pregnancy. Longer term it can damage the liver, heart, brain and stomach, not to mention the other human costs, and costs to the economy and society as a whole.Owen O'Neill, PHA Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Manager and Drugs and Alcohol Lead, said: "The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety's drinking limits are in place to encourage the public to develop safe and sensible drinking habits. However, these recent figures highlight that not everyone is adhering to these limits. It is crucial that those who do decide to have a drink do so in moderation and stick to the recommended limits to prevent any long or short term damages".The message is clear, if you drink, remember to be smart and enjoy alcohol within safe limits. People should follow the recommended daily alcohol intake. These are:Men: No more than 3 to 4 units of alcohol a day and no more than 21 units over the course of the week.Women: No more than 2 to 3 units of alcohol a day and no more than 14 units over the course of the week.Examples of units:Can of extra strong lager - 4 unitsBottle of lager - 1.5 unitsPint of standard lager - 2.5 unitsPint of premium larger - 3 unitsSmall pub bottle of wine - 2.25 unitsPub measure of spirits - 1.5 unitsPint of cider - 3 unitsPint of stout - 2.5 units. Remember, that for each unit you drink over the daily limit, the risk to your health increases. It's important to spread the units throughout the week - you can't 'save up' your units for the weekend or an upcoming holiday. It is also important to drink plenty of water, ideally matching the amount of alcohol you have consumed.For further information on sensible drinking and alcohol units visit the Public Health Agency's website www.knowyourlimits.infoReference(1) Health Survey Northern Ireland: first results from the 2010/2011 survey (2011) DHSSPS, http://dhsspsni.giv/index/stats_research/stats-public-health.htm