Home > GAA publishes guide for clubs.

Galvin, Brian (2006) GAA publishes guide for clubs. Drugnet Ireland, Issue 20, Winter 2006, p. 18.

[img]
Preview
PDF (Drugnet Ireland, issue 20) - Published Version
1MB

Following on from the recommendations of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) task force on drugs and alcohol (see Drugnet Ireland 18), the organisation recently published a guide for GAA clubs on developing policy in this area.1 The task force recommended that each club develop a policy appropriate to their circumstances, and the new guide outlines a step-by-step approach to achieving this, emphasising the importance of involving members in this process.  The guide contains specific recommendations, such as ending the traditional ‘filling the cup’ celebrations and phasing out alcohol advertisements on club jerseys and grounds.  It also provides advice on using educational programmes to raise awareness of alcohol- and drug-related issues, and on responding to evidence of possible problematic behaviour among club members.  The GAA Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) programme emphasises the importance for clubs of developing links with professional drug and alcohol services in their local areas to assist them in the management of alcohol- and drug-related incidents and in the development of appropriate policies. To help with this, the guide contains a county-by-county listing of drug and alcohol services.

The ASAP programme is at an early stage.  Eventually, each of the country’s 2,500 GAA clubs will have an officer to co-ordinate and oversee the implementation of its own drug and alcohol policy.  The new guide provides the template for this, but each club will decide what policies are appropriate to its particular circumstances and local conditions.

 1.  Murphy B (2006) GAA club manual for dealing with drug and alcohol related issues. Dublin:  Cumann Luthchleas Gael.

  

For further information, contact:

 

Brendan Murphy, National Co-ordinator ASAP Programme, GAA Connacht Council Office,

Clare Street, Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo.  Tel: (094) 9631804; Email: bmurhpy@clg.gaa.ie

Item Type
Article
Publication Type
Irish-related, Open Access, Article
Drug Type
All substances
Intervention Type
Harm reduction, Policy
Issue Title
Issue 20, Winter 2006
Date
October 2006
Page Range
p. 18
Publisher
Health Research Board
Volume
Issue 20, Winter 2006
EndNote
Accession Number
HRB (Available)

Repository Staff Only: item control page