Cecilia Keaveney
Question:136 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health and Children the initiatives being taken to tackle under-age drinking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20525/01]
Vol. 540 No. 3
136 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health and Children the initiatives being taken to tackle under-age drinking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20525/01]
I have expressed my concerns on the issue of under age drinking on numerous occasions. The health promotion unit of my Department is involved in several measures aimed at addressing this issue. 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 which was developed and delivered in co-operation with the Department of Education and Science, the health boards and teachers. Training in this programme has been given to 95% of primary schools. Adolescents are targeted through the substance abuse prevention programme, SAPP, called On My Own Two Feet which will form part of the social, personal and health education curriculum. To date, two-thirds of post primary schools have received training in this programme. The SAPP programme is also available for youth leaders working in local communities and at risk youth groups. Training is available for professionals and parents at community level through the regional health boards, with the purpose of helping long-term prevention of alcohol and drug misuse.
A training initiative developed in association with the drinks industry on the responsible serving of alcohol has been established. This is a training course for those in the pub trade and hospitality industry and was developed in co-operation with the drinks industry group and CERT. Some of the issues addressed in this programme are the prevention of serving those under-age, those who are going to drink and drive and those who are already intoxicated.
The health promotion unit commissioned the first national lifestyle surveys, the Survey of Lifestyle, Attitudes and Nutrition and the Health Behaviour in School Aged Children HBSC. They provide a profile of health-related behaviours including current drinking patterns. The first report was published in 1999. Follow-up surveys will be conducted at regular intervals. Research is currently being carried out in relation to the impact of alcohol advertising on young people, the results of which are expected in the near future. This research will inform future policy in this area.