05/09/2001

Partnership aims to tackle drug and alcohol abuse problems

Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Bairbre de Brún, has said that partnership is fundamental when it comes to tackling drugs and alcohol misuse effectively.

Speaking at the ‘Joint Implementation of the Drug & Alcohol Strategy Conference’ in Cookstown on Wednesday, she said: “By working together we can greatly reduce the impact of drug and alcohol related harm. The problems we face are enormous and the solution does not lie with any one individual, agency, sector or government department."

Ms de Brún went on to explain that she was determined to get to grips with the problems of drug and alcohol misuse by “forging a real and meaningful partnership between government departments, the voluntary and community sector, and the private sector”.

The conference was organised to take the views of the voluntary and community sector on a new implementation model which will see the formation of six working groups to cover areas such as treatment, education and prevention, communities, information and research, social legislation, and criminal justice.

The Minister said the conference was the start of a process to select 20 representatives from the voluntary and community sector to take an active part in the partnership strategy.

Encouraging those present to be a part of the process, said: “ We are entering an exciting phase in the delivery of our drugs and alcohol strategies. Everyone is working together and much has already been achieved.”

Drug Strategy Co-ordinator Jo Daykin, who attended the conference, said history was being made as the voluntary and community sectors joined with the policy makers in partnership.

The conference follows on a joint implementation model for Drug and Alcohol Strategies presented to the Ministerial Group on 4 April 2001 for consideration.

Since May, views have been taken from a range of individuals, agencies and statutory organisations. (SP)

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