The Department of Health, Social Services & Public Safety has led the development of the New Strategic Direction for Alcohol & Drugs Phase 2 2011-2016 (NSD Phase 2). The purpose of this consultation is to seek views on the revised and updated cross-departmental, cross-sectoral NSD Phase 2.
NSD Phase 2 provides an opportunity to address a number of issues which have emerged since the original document was published in 2006, including:
- emerging drugs of concern/"legal highs";
- encouraging a family approach to addiction and providing support;
- addressing hidden harm (those children born to or living with substance misusing parents/carers);
- taking a population approach to alcohol, including the role of alcohol promotions and price;
- links to mental health, suicide, sexual violence and abuse, and domestic violence;
- the misuse of prescription or over-the-counter drugs;
- promoting recovery (enabling people to reintegrate into society and eventually overcome their addiction); and
- increased misuse of cocaine
and taking a population approach to alcohol.
COMMENTS ON DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY (DHSSPS)
CONSULTATION ON THE NEW STRATEGIC DIRECTION FOR ALCOHOL & DRUGS PHASE 2 (2011-2016)
The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh welcomes the opportunity to respond to this consultation on behalf of our Fellows and Members in Northern Ireland. The observations and comments relate largely to misuse of alcohol, leaving the drug addiction and damage issue to other disciplines for expert views.
Scotland has very similar challenges with regard to excessive consumption of alcohol, and the College is a founding member of the Scottish Heath Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP) which aims to influence public health policy through raising awareness of the dangers of excessive consumption. Further information on the work of SHAAP is available at http://www.shaap.org.uk/.
Comments on the consultation questions follow:
Q.1 Do you agree with the approach being proposed by NSD Steering Group to reviewing, revising and extending the NSD to 2016?
The College believe the alcohol related components of this strategy are embedded firmly in sound public health principles and should be commended.
Q.3 Do you feel the proposed revised implementation structure is fit for purpose to deliver the NSD phase 2?
Agreed. Although it may appear a little bureaucratic, it is important to retain national oversight of the various strands of activity across Northern Ireland through the Steering Group.
Q.4 Are you aware of any other statistics not included in this document or the NSD Update Report that would help inform the revision and extension of the NSD?
Data is provided showing that alcohol consumption estimated by the Continuous Household Survey has been fairly static since 2002. However, evidence from Scotland (http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/6532.html) suggests that such surveys underestimate consumption when compared with data on alcohol sales. Is equivalent data available for Northern Ireland?
Q.9 Are the revised pillars still relevant? Do you agree with these pillars? Are there any other areas that should be included as a Pillar?
The College believes that the 5 selected pillars are an admirable basis on which to build the strategy.
Q.11 Do you agree that these are the key emerging issues for alcohol and drug misuse since the publication of the NSD? Are there other issues that you feel need to have a stronger emphasis in the NSD Phase 2?
The College supports the proposed extension of the scope of the policy to include addressing the causes in addition to the effects of excessive alcohol consumption eg availability and pricing. Any policy that fails to take account of these important factors will have limited impact only.
Q.12 Do you agree that these should be the key priorities for the NSD Phase 2? Are there other issues that should be a key priority?
The College supports the priority areas identified.