Northern Ireland Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety Country Resources Child and Youth Substance Abuse/Alcohol policies/plans/legislations and service standards Northern Ireland, United Kingdom 1 June 2009 Policy document

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This action plan will begin to address the increasing negative impact of youth drinking by taking a coordinated approach. It outlines how, as young people’s drinking is a societal issue, action much be taken collaboratively across government and various sectors to effectively tackle the problem. It is everyone’s responsibility, and no single department or organisation can make progress in isolation.

The action plan focuses on three main areas: reducing young people’s demand for alcohol by providing information, education and training to young people and their parents; restricting the supply of alcohol via measures to reduce accessibility to alcohol (including how alcohol is priced, marketed, and promoted); and providing treatment and support for those who require additional help. This strategy identifies a range of key priorities including: developing young people’s services, promoting alcohol and drug related education and prevention, targeting those at risk and vulnerable, addressing underage drinking, addressing binge drinking, reducing illicit drug use and availability, and promoting harm reduction approaches. Work is underway to address these issues at both regional and local levels.

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