Alcohol and drug misuse have been signifi cant public health and social issues in Northern Ireland for some years. They continue to be key priorities having an all too real and quantifi able impact on the individual, their family, friends, and community. Alcohol misuse increases the risk to individuals of poor mental health, self-harm and suicide, as well as other health problems such as liver disease, cancer and heart disease. It also leads to greater risk of being involved in accidents and committing or being the victim of violence and crime.