Minister launches new D12 community action plan

THE Dublin 12 Community Action of Alcohol strategy plan was launched recently in the Bru Youth Centre, Crumlin by local TD and Government Minister, Catherine Byrne.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Byrne, the Minister of State for Health Promotion and the National Drugs Strategy, said:

“I believe that the Dublin 12 Community Action on Alcohol Strategy will provide a valuable resource for the D12 Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force. It will support and strengthen the  community’s response to drug and alcohol misuse.

?

The minister added that the upcoming Public Health Alcohol Bill would be key in providing a legislative base to meaningfully address the growing issue of alcohol and alcohol related harm in communities.

“I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the good work and commitment of all involved in D12 developing the Strategy,

? the minister stated.

The report found that in Ireland, there are very few families or individuals who have not been impacted negatively by alcohol abuse.

“However, alcohol is celebrated and is so normalised as part of our culture that often we do not acknowledge the level of harm that results from its misuse,

? the report states.

“Although alcohol misuse results in four times the number of deaths as all other drugs combined this fact is not widely recognised. The normalisation of alcohol consumption in Ireland makes dealing with the negative consequences a very real challenge.

“The publication of this Dublin 12 Alcohol Strategy reflects the commitment of people in Dublin 12 in making alcohol harm a priority in our community. The honesty in naming alcohol harm as an issue and the commitment in doing something about it are to be commended.

“In Ireland, 88 people die as a result of alcohol misuse every month. Globally, alcohol is responsible for more deaths than HIV/AIDS, violence and tuberculosis combined. These shocking facts cannot be ignored and as a nation and as a community we need to acknowledge and begin to address this serious issue and prevent further harm.

“Since the launch of the Global Alcohol Strategy by the WHO in 2010, there is a growing awareness that it is time we started shouting

‘STOP’.

“The communities in Dublin 12 have clearly expressed their desire to stand up and be heard on the issue of alcohol harm. In 2014, the year that the remit of Drug Task Forces was expanded to finally include alcohol, a process of community engagement around reducing alcohol harm began.

“It is with pride that we now welcome the publication of the Dublin 12 Community Action on Alcohol Strategy with our Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force supporting its implementation over the coming years.

“This strategy takes a public health approach which aims to reduce alcohol related harm.

“It aims to achieve this by focusing on regulating the numbers/density of alcohol retail outlets, policing and enforcement, encouraging community awareness and attitude change, and through education, treatment and harm reduction.

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 Aoife Fitzgerald, the Co-ordinator of the Dublin 12 Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force, acted as the project lead on the strategy.

“At every step the group have created space for the voices and concerns of the community to be heard,

? the report added.