A national initiative to reduce and prevent alcohol harm in communities will be launched in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, this morning - the first of 12 locations where the initiative will be rolled out.
Community-led steering groups, with the help of multiple State agencies, will provide targeted interventions in their respective areas.
Over the coming months, the initiative will be rolled out in Balbriggan, Ballymun, Canal Communities (Dublin), Celbridge, Cork city, Drogheda, Leixlip, Listowel, Monaghan, Sligo and Swords.
The combined population of the 12 locations where the project will be rolled out is about 500,000 people.
Ireland is the first country in Europe to roll out the Building Safer Communities initiative devised by the World Health Organization (WHO).
WHO Drug and Alcohol expert Dag Rekve said: "This initiative demonstrates the power of community action in tackling alcohol-related harm. Letterkenny is setting a fantastic example by putting people and local engagement at the heart of their efforts."
"The evaluation of this initiative will undoubtedly provide valuable insights for other communities globally who are striving to prevent and reduce alcohol harm," Mr Rekve added.
Alcohol Forum Ireland is leading the project together with the Irish Community Action on Alcohol Network and seven Local and Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Forces.
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Speaking ahead of this morning's launch at An Grianán Theatre, CEO of Alcohol Forum Ireland, Paula Leonard said: "The learning from these initiatives about what works, who needs to be involved and how communities can be engaged will provide important information to government on preventing alcohol harm in Ireland."
She said: "That matters, as three people die every day in Ireland from alcohol-related causes."
The safer project delivery at local level focuses on 15 key actions based on five measures that have been recommended by the WHO.
Some of the measures include strengthening restrictions on alcohol availability, advancing and enforcing drink-driving measures and facilitating access to screening, brief intervention, referral and treatment.
Alcohol Forum Ireland will work with the School of Population Health in Trinity College Dubin to analyse and evaluate the rollout of the initiative.
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The Letterkenny Safer Steering Group includes members from youth services, academia, local government, An Garda Síochána, alcohol and drug services and local community representatives.
Chairperson of the Letterkenny Steering Group Gráinne Ketelaar said the initiative encourages questioning of the visibility of alcohol in communities.
"Can [young people] they walk to school without being bombarded by alcohol brand advertising? Can they go to the shop without seeing alcohol and alcohol branded advertising and products?
"It asks us to think about where young people are getting access to alcohol - from off licences, through drink delivery services, from their parents or older siblings.
"Sadly, research has shown that parents in Ireland have a lack of understanding of the neurotoxic effect of alcohol on the developing brain and we need to support parents to understand that.
"It is really positive that the North West Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force selected Letterkenny to be part of this initiative," Dr Ketelaar concluded.
