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Minister Burke highlights impact of investment in alcohol treatment services

Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing, and the National Drugs Strategy, Colm Burke has highlighted the impact of investment in drug and alcohol services as new figures show a 10% rise in the number of alcohol treatment cases in 2023.

Data reported by the Health Research Board (HRB) in its National Drug Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS) shows the result of increased investment in drug services in recent years, with the numbers in alcohol treatment now exceeding pre-COVID-19 levels. A total of 8,163 cases were treated for problem alcohol use in 2023, a 10% increase on the 7,421 cases reported in 2022.

Minister Burke said:

"The gathering of data by the HRB from treatment services in relation to problematic alcohol use, is of vital importance for the monitoring and planning of services.

"While it is welcome that more cases of problem alcohol use are receiving treatment, the data serves as a reminder of the extent of problem alcohol use and the harmful impact of alcohol dependency. It is clear that as a society that we must reduce our consumption of alcohol through a public health response."

Minister Burke added:

"This government continues to progress measures to address the consumption of alcohol in Ireland. I am pleased to say that 28 of the 31 provisions of the Public Health Alcohol Act 2018 have been commenced so far, including minimum unit pricing and the structural separation of alcohol products from other products in retail outlets.

"The implementation of the broadcast watershed provision in January 2025 will restrict the times for alcohol advertisements on radio and television, reducing children’s exposure to these ads. It will be followed in May 2026 by the implementation of new health labelling requirements for alcohol products.

"Together, these measures will help to reduce alcohol consumption, assist consumers to make informed decisions regarding alcohol consumption and delay the initiation of alcohol consumption by children and young people."

The HRB bulletin revealed that new cases in alcohol treatment accounted for more than two in five cases. One in four cases involved polydrug use.

Commenting on the findings, Minister Burke said:

"Treatment services are dealing with more complex cases, as the high consumption of alcohol is combined with use of illicit drugs such as cocaine and cannabis. That is why we need treatment services that are flexible and person-centred, and I am committed to ensuring that we continue to provide the necessary resources to achieve this."

Estimated public expenditure on drug and addiction services in 2024 is €163 million. This includes an additional €6 million in 2024 to expand drug services in the community, €2 million of which will be used to meet the increased demand for services, improve service design, and strengthen integration with community care.

Funding of €500,000 was also provided in 2023 to expand community-based drug and alcohol services.

The Department of Health is also prioritising prevention initiatives, with €1.5 million allocated in 2023 to five projects designed to reduce drug and alcohol use.

In addition, the Slaintecare Healthy Communities Programme has piloted two Integrated Alcohol Services to provide support for people with harmful alcohol use and their families.

Minister Burke added:

"I would encourage anyone with concerns regarding their alcohol use, or that of a family member or friend, to seek support from their GP, treatment services or to contact the drug and alcohol helpline."

Notes

The NDTRS is the national surveillance system that records and reports on cases of drug and alcohol treatment in Ireland. The latest bulletin, including data on alcohol treatment for 2023, is available at www.hrb.ie.

Supports

Further information on seeking support for drug use can be found on www.drugs.ie and for alcohol on www.askaboutalcohol.ie.

An interactive map of drug and alcohol treatment services is available at drugsandalcohol.ie.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) Drugs and Alcohol Helpline provides support, information and guidance for any person who is concerned about their own drug or alcohol use, or that of a family member or friend. Further information on seeking support for drug use can be found on www.drugs.ie and for alcohol on www.askaboutalcohol.ie.

Public Health Alcohol Act 2018

The Public Health Alcohol Act 2018 was signed into law on 17 October 2018. This legislation seeks to address the negative impacts of consumption on public health grounds. It is part of a suite of measures designed to reduce alcohol consumption and limit the damage to the nation’s health, society and economy.

The primary policy objectives of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 are to:

  • reduce alcohol consumption to 9.1 litres of pure alcohol per person per annum
  • delay the initiation of alcohol consumption by children and young people
  • reduce the harms caused by the misuse of alcohol
  • ensure the supply and price of alcohol is regulated and controlled in order to minimise the possibility and incidence of alcohol related harm

Measures that have been implemented to date include structural separation of alcohol products from other products, the regulation of sports sponsorship, restrictions on certain promotional activities and minimum unit pricing.

In May 2023, regulations were signed to introduce comprehensive health labelling of alcohol products sold in Ireland. The law provides that the labels of alcohol products will state the calorie content and grams of alcohol in the product. They will warn about the risk of consuming alcohol when pregnant and will also warn of the risk of liver disease and fatal cancers from alcohol consumption. The labels will direct the consumer to the HSE website, www.askaboutalcohol.ie, for further information.

There is a three-year lead-in time built into the law in order to give businesses significant time to prepare for the change. The law will apply from 22 May 2026.

In November 2023, the Broadcast Watershed provision of the Act was introduced which restricts the times of alcohol advertisements on radio and television. The provision will come into operation on 10 January 2025.

The Sláintecare Healthy Communities (SHC) Programme

The Sláintecare Healthy Communities (SHC) Programme works in specific areas in which high risk factors to the health and wellbeing of the population are particularly prevalent due to deprivation, with a view to implementing targeted initiatives to tackle these challenges from within these communities. Nineteen areas were included in the first phase of the programme, on the basis of need, and in consultation with the Local Authority sector.

Under Sláintecare Healthy Communities, two areas have piloted Integrated Alcohol Services to provide support for people with harmful alcohol use and their families. The community-based teams consist of four counsellors, a Nurse, and a Project Worker. In 2021, services commenced in Cork and Limerick. The services work closely with Alcohol Liaison Nurses in hospitals so that there is a joined up approach to service delivery across community and hospital settings.

HSE Alcohol Programme

The HSE Alcohol Programme aims to achieve a healthier and safer Ireland by working to reduce individual and population alcohol use and health inequalities, and protecting children, families and communities from alcohol-related harm. The ‘Ask About Alcohol’ website and campaign is a key element of the programme and provides factual information to people on the benefits of reducing alcohol consumption for their physical and mental health.

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