Arielle Cruz
Alcohol abuse is a pressing issue in Northern Ireland, with far-reaching consequences for individuals, families, and society as a whole. It is estimated to cost the region around £1.5 billion annually, impacting physical and mental health, employment, housing, and crime rates. While alcohol use remains the most common substance issue, drug-related problems are also on the rise, and the number of deaths linked to substance abuse is increasing. Northern Ireland has struggled to implement effective legislation to tackle alcohol abuse, and the COVID-19 pandemic further slowed down the legislative process. The region has seen some success with educational campaigns and the availability of counselling services, but long waiting lists and a lack of reliable data on addiction services remain challenges.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Alcohol abuse among young people | Hundreds of young people are being hospitalised, ending up in custody or receiving long-term care as a result of problem alcohol use each year in Northern Ireland. |
| The percentage of young people (11-16) getting drunk has fallen from 33% in 2003 to 14% in the most recent survey. | |
| More than 500 under 18s were receiving treatment for alcohol abuse from a range of services. | |
| The number of PSNI seizures from underage drinkers more than halved from 723 to 320 in the ten months following the establishment of 11 new police districts in 2015. | |
| Interventions by the Department of Health | The Department of Health has estimated that the annual cost of substance use to Northern Ireland could be around £1.5 billion. |
| The Committee has called for joined-up action, led by the centre of government, to reduce drug and alcohol-related deaths. | |
| The Committee has expressed concerns over the lack of reliable data on addiction services. | |
| The Committee has recommended that the Department continues its efforts to expand social prescribing and the availability of alternative therapies. | |
| The Department of Health has overall strategy responsibility for alcohol and drugs. | |
| The Department has stated that the majority of the targets it had set for itself in the old substance use strategy were on track for implementation. | |
| Other strategies | The Minister of Health has prioritised health education to highlight the risks of binge drinking and drink-spiking. |
| The Department leads on the cross-departmental strategy to prevent and address the harm related to alcohol and drug misuse. | |
| The Department has committed to carrying out a consultation on minimum unit pricing of alcohol. |
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What You'll Learn
Underage drinking
Campaigners and charities are calling for several measures to be implemented to tackle the problem of underage drinking. These include the introduction of minimum pricing for alcohol, compulsory support services at major events, and greater transparency in the publication of licensing information. They also advocate for more police resources to be allocated to addressing underage drinking and for better education and awareness campaigns in schools.
The Northern Ireland government has acknowledged the problem and has implemented some strategies to address it. The cross-departmental strategy led by the Department of Health aims to prevent and reduce the harm related to alcohol misuse, with a particular focus on young people. The strategy includes a range of actions to reduce youth access to alcohol and drugs, as well as services to reduce demand, such as education, early intervention, harm reduction, treatment, and support. The government has also prioritized health education to highlight the risks of binge drinking and drink-spiking, and there have been some campaigns aimed at educating people about the dangers of alcohol abuse.
However, there is a perceived lack of recent legislation specifically targeting alcohol harm in Northern Ireland, and political instability has hindered the development and implementation of new policies. For example, the consultation on minimum unit pricing of alcohol, launched by the Minister of Health in February 2022, has not progressed due to the suspension of the Assembly and the lack of a current Executive or Health Minister.
The financial cost of alcohol-related harm is significant, with estimates ranging from £900 million to the Northern Ireland economy, with up to £250 million borne by the health sector alone. There is a clear need for investment in education, treatment, and innovative solutions to tackle the complex issue of alcohol abuse, especially among underage drinkers.
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Alcohol-related deaths
Alcohol abuse has significant impacts on individuals, families, and society in Northern Ireland, including physical and mental health, unemployment, homelessness, and criminal activity. The annual cost of substance use to Northern Ireland is estimated at £1.5 billion. While alcohol remains the most prevalent substance issue, drug-related harms are also increasing, with a notable rise in prescription drug use and drug-related deaths.
The number of alcohol-related deaths in Northern Ireland has been rising, with 284 such deaths in 2018, 336 in 2019, and 351 in 2020. This represents an extremely worrying increase, and the Northern Ireland Department of Health has recorded over 3,000 clients with problem alcohol use over a 12-month period, with more than a third indicating an alcohol use disorder.
The Department of Health has overall strategy responsibility for alcohol and drugs, but interventions made by the department alone will not be enough to address the growing harms. The Committee on Addiction Services has called for joined-up action, led by the government, with the clear objective of reducing drug and alcohol-related deaths. The committee has expressed concern over the lack of reliable data on addiction services, which hinders effective monitoring and future service provision.
To tackle the issue of alcohol-related harms, Northern Ireland has focused on prevention, education, and treatment. The Health Committee has prioritized health education to highlight the risks of binge drinking and drink-spiking, and there have been calls for greater investment in education and treatment. The Department of Health has also considered the introduction of minimum unit pricing for alcohol to reduce accessibility, but political instability has delayed progress on this legislation.
Additionally, Northern Ireland has targeted underage drinking, which is a significant contributor to alcohol abuse among young people. The percentage of young people (aged 11-16) getting drunk has decreased, and there are cross-departmental strategies in place to prevent and address alcohol misuse among this vulnerable group. These strategies include education, awareness, early intervention, harm reduction, treatment, and support.
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Treatment and support
Northern Ireland has witnessed high levels of harm caused by alcohol consumption, with significant impacts on individuals, families, and society as a whole. The Department of Health has estimated that the annual cost of substance use, primarily driven by alcohol abuse, could reach £1.5 billion in Northern Ireland. This includes costs related to physical and mental health, unemployment, homelessness, and criminal activity.
The Department of Health in Northern Ireland has recognised the importance of addressing alcohol abuse and has committed to prioritising health education. This includes raising awareness about the risks of binge drinking and drink-spiking, with a particular focus on the upcoming festive season. The University of Ulster report echoes this sentiment, emphasising the need for sustained efforts in health education to effectively highlight the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption.
To address the growing concerns, the Department has outlined a strategy that encompasses a range of actions and services. These services include education, awareness and information campaigns, early intervention, harm reduction, and treatment and support. The strategy also places a strong emphasis on reducing young people's access to alcohol, with the percentage of young individuals (aged 11-16) getting drunk showing a positive decline from 33% in 2003 to 14% in the most recent survey.
Despite these efforts, there are concerns about the lack of reliable data on addiction services, hindering effective monitoring and evaluation of their impact. Long waiting lists for therapies and a lack of progress in expanding social prescribing and alternative therapies have also been identified as challenges. This has resulted in rising prescribing rates, indicating the need for additional support services to address alcohol abuse effectively.
To fill this gap, Northern Ireland offers a range of alcohol abuse treatment options, including therapists, psychologists, and counsellors. These professionals provide confidential support for individuals struggling with alcohol abuse and help families and loved ones impacted by their drinking. Counsellors can identify the signs and causes of alcohol abuse, facilitate interventions, and refer individuals to specialised treatment centres. They may also recommend 12-step programmes or suggest joining support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
Additionally, therapists in Northern Ireland utilise various techniques, such as CBT, transactional analysis, solution-focused therapy, hypnotherapy, and parts therapy, to help individuals gain a better understanding of their underlying issues and improve their overall well-being. These therapeutic approaches empower individuals to address the root causes of their alcohol abuse and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
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Education and awareness
Alcohol abuse has been causing significant harm in Northern Ireland, affecting individuals, families, and society as a whole. The impact of alcohol misuse extends to physical and mental health, unemployment, homelessness, and criminal activity. The annual cost of substance use, primarily driven by alcohol abuse, is estimated at £1.5 billion for Northern Ireland. While alcohol remains the most prevalent substance issue, deaths related to drug use have also been rising, more than tripling in the last decade.
To address this growing problem, Northern Ireland has implemented various measures focusing on education and awareness. The Department of Health has prioritized health education to highlight the risks of binge drinking and drink-spiking, and there have been calls for similar campaigns as those for tobacco and smoking to educate the public about the long-term impact of alcohol abuse.
The government has also targeted underage drinking through a cross-departmental strategy. This strategy aims to reduce young people's access to alcohol, with a range of services in place, including education, awareness, information, early intervention, harm reduction, treatment, and support. The percentage of young people aged 11-16 getting drunk has decreased from 33% in 2003 to 14% in recent surveys, indicating some success in this area.
Additionally, there is a focus on increasing awareness among schoolchildren about the dangers and signals of alcohol overuse and drug use. Teachers are taking time in class to educate students about these issues, providing practical advice such as staying in groups and planning their journeys in advance.
However, there are concerns about the lack of reliable data on addiction services, hindering the ability to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of these services. There are also long waiting lists for therapies, and witnesses have emphasized the need for an expansion of social prescribing and alternative therapies to address alcohol and drug addiction effectively.
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Legislation and policy
The Department of Health in Northern Ireland has estimated that alcohol and substance misuse cost the region around £1.5 billion annually, with up to £250 million directly incurred by the health sector. Despite this, Northern Ireland has not introduced any recent legislation to mitigate alcohol-related harm. The COVID-19 pandemic also slowed down the progress of legislation in the region.
In December 2014, the Northern Ireland Minister of Health at the time, DUP MLA Jim Wells, promised to conduct a consultation on minimum unit pricing. On February 22, 2022, the Minister of Health, Robin Swann of the Ulster Unionist Party, launched the consultation on minimum unit pricing for alcohol. However, political instability has hindered further progress on this legislation.
The Northern Ireland government has a cross-departmental strategy to prevent and address alcohol and drug misuse, with a focus on young people. This strategy includes initiatives to reduce access to alcohol and drugs for minors, as well as services for harm reduction, early intervention, treatment, and support. The percentage of young people aged 11 to 16 who reported getting drunk decreased from 33% in 2003 to 14% in a more recent survey. Nevertheless, hundreds of young people still end up in hospital, custody, or long-term care each year due to problem alcohol use.
Campaigners are advocating for several measures to tackle underage drinking, including the introduction of minimum pricing for alcohol, mandatory support services at large events, improved transparency in licensing information, and increased police resources dedicated to the issue.
The Committee on Public Accounts has expressed concern about the lack of reliable data on addiction services, which hinders effective monitoring and evaluation of service provision. They have called for joined-up action, led by the government, to reduce alcohol and drug-related deaths. The Committee also emphasised the need for expansion of social prescribing and alternative therapies to address the rising rates of prescription drug use in Northern Ireland.
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Frequently asked questions
Research has estimated that alcohol use and its related harms have cost the Northern Ireland economy up to £900 million, with up to £250 million directly incurred by the health sector.
The Northern Ireland government has placed a cross-departmental strategy to prevent and address the harm related to alcohol and drug misuse. This strategy prioritises young people, aiming to reduce their access to alcohol and drugs and provides a range of services to reduce demand. These services include education, awareness, early intervention, harm reduction, treatment, and support. The government has also prioritised health education to highlight the risks of binge drinking and drink spiking.
There are alcohol abuse therapists, psychologists, and counsellors in Northern Ireland who can help individuals, couples, and families. These professionals provide confidential support and can refer victims to alcohol abuse treatment centres.
