Combating alcohol misuse

Pictured at the Launch of Taking the Initiative to Reduce the Impact of Alcohol are representatives from the Believe in Youth Project BR: Maurice McLaughlin and Pauline O'Reilly from Dunlewey Substance Advice Centre; FR Marie Roulston, Director of Children's Services, Northern Trust; Pauline Campbell, Dunlewey Substance Advice Centre; Rosaleen Curran, Big Lottery Fund; Mary Hampson, Dunlewey Substance Advice Centre and Gerry McDonald, Impact of Alcohol Portfolio Manager, Northern Trust.

The initiatives aim to help local communities gain the skills and the knowledge to access services which can address the negative effects of alcohol misuse.

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust has received funding from the Big Lottery Fund to deliver the projects under the title ‘Taking the Initiative to Reduce the Impact of Alcohol’.

Gerry McDonald, Impact of Alcohol Portfolio Manager in the Northern Trust, said: “As a result of this funding from the Big Lottery Fund, the Northern Trust has worked in partnership with a range of voluntary organisations to develop four projects to meet identified need in your area. If you are concerned about the impact of alcohol on youself, your family or community please take the initiative and contact us to discuss how one of the projects can help.”

* The first project called Believe in Youth aims to reduce the physical and mental harm caused by alcohol to young people by delaying the onset of drinking through education and alcohol intervention programmes.

* The second project called Relationships and Alcohol Misuse aims to reduce the harm caused by alcohol to families by supporting and improving family relationships.

* The third project called Healthy Body, Healthy Mind.

* The fourth project offers help and support to people aged 55 years and over and their families, who are concerned about alcohol use.