More Work Required On Drink And Drug Misuse - Poots

Health Minister Edwin Poots has said more needs to be done to tackle health problems caused by alcohol and drug misuse.

The Minister was speaking as he published the first annual report on Northern Ireland’s cross-departmental strategy to prevent and address the harm related to the misuse of alcohol and drugs.

The Minister said: "Research has indicated that alcohol misuse alone costs our society up to £900m every year, and if we were to add in the costs of drug misuse, I have no doubt this would take us over £1bn. However, these figures can never describe the true human cost that substance misuse has on our society."

Mr Poots detailed the initiatives taken by the Executive to address alcohol and drug misuse and other issues such as mental health, suicide and sexual health.

The number of young people who drink and get drunk has fallen from 33% to 23%, according to the Department of Health.

Binge drinking among adults has fallen to 30% and drug misuse has plateaued in many areas.

"However, there is still much to do and we are not complacent about the task ahead of us," Minister Poots continued.

"Almost 400 people die each year from an alcohol and/or drug related causes, and over 12,000 people are still admitted to hospital every year from alcohol and drug related conditions.

"I am therefore committed to ensuring that the New Strategic Direction for Alcohol and Drugs Phase 2 continues to be implemented as effectively as possible, and I would like to acknowledge all those who have supported this work to date – particularly those working in the community and voluntary sector."

(IT/CD)