Plans to tackle alcohol abuse are revealed

INNOVATIVE plans to tackle alcohol misuse have been unveiled at the Southern Health and Social Care Trust.

With funding of £844,000 from the Big Lottery Fund over three years, the Impact of Alcohol programme is a partnership approach with voluntary and community sector organisations. It aims to reduce the harm caused to people, families and communities across the area directly affected by alcohol misuse.

Mairead McAlinden, Chief Executive at the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, says this funding will make a real difference to the range of services offered to people and families in the Trust area.

“Sadly, around 300 lives are lost to alcohol misuse every year and many more people are directly affected due to the harm alcohol misuse causes to individuals, their families and their community. There are services that can support people and reduce this harm, and this funding from the Big Lottery Fund will help us to do more.

“We are privileged to be a partner in this development and we are deeply grateful to the Big Lottery Fund for such a substantial amount of money. Our staff are working with our partners in the voluntary sector to make sure that together we will make a real difference – providing more support to people affected by alcohol misuse and changing lives for the better.”

The programme will tackle the range of issues that have resulted from alcohol misuse including physical and mental health problems, accidents and violence, debt and poverty, and family issues.