Home > New strategic direction for alcohol and drugs: phase 2. Third update report – July 2015.

Northern Ireland. Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. (2015) New strategic direction for alcohol and drugs: phase 2. Third update report – July 2015. Belfast: Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

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The cross-departmental strategy to reduce the harm related to substance misuse in Northern Ireland, known as the New Strategic Direction for Alcohol and Drugs (NSD) Phase 2, was launched in 2012. This is the third annual report of progress against the outcomes and indicators set out in that document (report one and report two). For the first time, this annual report also includes progress against the medium and long term outcomes included in the NSD Phase 2. This should help focus action over the next two years of the strategy’s delivery.

 

The report is structured as follows:

  • Chapter 1 sets out the background to the development of the strategy;
  • Chapter 2 summarises the revised approach taken in the NSD Phase 2;
  • Chapter 3 provides an update on the key indicators available since the last report;
  • Chapter 4 shows progress on the outcomes in the NSD Phase 2; and
  • Chapter 5 provides a summary and concluding comments 

Overall, further progress has been made in the third year of the NSD Phase 2’s implementation. Since the original strategy was published in 2006, we have seen some encouraging signs in relation to reductions in the levels of binge drinking and the percentage of young people who drink and get drunk. Prevalence of illegal drug misuse has largely plateaued and we are seeing more people access treatment and support services for alcohol and drug misuse. However, levels of alcohol and drug related hospital admissions and deaths are still high, and there is increasing concern about the misuse of prescription drugs and particularly New Psychoactive Substances.

 

In terms of progress against the outcomes within the NSD Phase 2, the majority of the 141 outcomes are on track for achievement within the timescale expected. 15 (11%) of the outcomes have been fully completed, 99 (70%) of the outcomes are classified as being on track for achievement, and 26 (18%) of the outcomes progress is being made but with some delay. At this stage, only one outcome is currently classified as not being on track for achievement and that relates to research in respect of prescription drug misuse. We will continue to monitor progress against the outcomes and indicators on an ongoing basis, and update annually.

Item Type
Report
Publication Type
Irish-related, Report
Drug Type
Alcohol
Intervention Type
Policy
Date
August 2015
Pages
90 p.
Publisher
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Corporate Creators
Northern Ireland. Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Place of Publication
Belfast
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