News
Youth Justice Agency participates in "Demon Drink" conference (18/09/2008)
The Youth Justice Agency was pleased to participate in a conference held today in Bangor's Marine Court Hotel that examined the impact that alcohol has on everyday life.Titled “The demon drink – its not funny is it?” the conference explored the contrasting perspectives and the management of alcohol in society. Comedian Gene Fitzpatrick compered the event and ensured that delegates were kept stimulated and focused on all perspectives.
Over 100 teenagers from local secondary schools joined the delegates for the morning session. Cool FM DJ Kirsty McMurray gave an insight into the impact alcohol plays within the lives of those involved in high profile media exposure. Jim Weir from the Belfast based community organisation FASA shared a professional view of what is described as “the natural high”. The South East Trust representative explained to the younger element of the audience just what is happening to the human brain as it develops and becomes stunted by alcohol. This was followed by a brief 5 min cross community play entitled “consequences” that depicted a youthful night out and their fateful consequences. The play was rehearsed as part of a summer project when a group from Downpatrick and a group from Bangor were brought together to share experiences of growing up in their respective communities.
Northern Ireland has a deep-rooted culture of drinking to excess, most noticeably as a “rights of passage” for those progressing from youth to adulthood. The conference explored options and sought to influence the 15 year olds that are defined as that group about to meet the challenges of dealing with alcohol.
The conference was sponsored by the Youth Justice Agency, the Eastern Drugs & Alcohol Strategy Team (EDACT) and North Down Community Safety Partnership (NDCSP). It was managed by the North Down & Ards Drug and Alcohol Strategy Group (NORDAG). One of the organisers, Stephen Dunlop, Town Centre Manager for Bangor and Holywood said:
“Consistently the abuse of alcohol leads to violent assaults, anti-social behaviour and collectively places a considerable burden on our health service provision, law enforcement agencies, criminal justice system and other agencies. It contributes to making our town centres unsafe, uncomfortable and at times unmanageable. We have improved Bangor town centre over the last few years through working in partnership with the publicans, PSNI, council and Community Safety Partnership. A range of different projects has been put in place and considerable change has taken place. Bangor is now one of the safest town centres in Northern Ireland to have a good night out. We have a vibrant cluster of some of the best restaurants and friendliest bars in the country.”
Considerable work is being undertaken to address the issues and this NI based conference sought to challenge some preconceptions within society about the humour of taking alcohol, demonstrate hard truths about its impact on the individual, family and society at large. It highlighted recent best practice models on how a joined up partnership approach to addressing the impacts can return dividends.
Chairperson of NORDAG and Social Worker within the Youth Justice Agency, Michele Janes went on to comment:
“Alcohol is a significant contributory factor behind youth crime and there is growing evidence that young people are more likely to offend, and indeed become victims of crime, while under the influence of alcohol. The Youth Justice Agency is currently piloting a Regional Initial Assessment Tool (RIAT) designed to accurately assess young people's drug and alcohol misuse and data collected for the period February to June 2008 indicated that 48% of RIAT referrals received by the Agency recorded alcohol as the main substance of misuse.
Such young people often have complex needs and a joined-up approach is required to challenge their offending behaviour. The Youth Justice Agency is delighted to support this conference and to work with NORDAG, Bangor & Holywood Town Centre Management and other community-based partners to help reduce youth crime and make our town centres safer for all the community"
In support of the conference, Community Safety Partnership representative, Martin Magee said:
“The Community Safety Partnership has been funding projects for a number of years that seek to reduce the negative impact of alcohol within society. Whether it be in the streets of the town centre or in the silence of a home, alcohol is the no.1 drug of choice within Northern Ireland. Agencies must work together if their strategies are to have a serious impact. We are pleased to be able to support this local initiative that will highlight some of the work that goes on quite unnoticed at times but will have an impact in the medium to long term.”
Other speakers included Colin Neill, Chief Executive Officer of the Federation of Retail Licensed Trade in NI, who gave the industry perspective on responsible drinking; Jack Houlahan, Community Facilitator and author examined the cultural influences; Superintendent Peter Loughins from the PSNI spoke on the police perspectives and Gary McMichael of EDACT explained current government strategy in addressing the issues of alcohol abuse.
Cllr Dr Stephen Farry MLA, Alliance spokesman on Justice, presented the keynote address.
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