Services must be developed for under-17s - Coulter
Commenting on a new report by the Review of Mental Health and Learning Disability NI, who have criticised the lack of services for young people battling alcohol and drugs in Northern Ireland, UUP Health spokesperson Robert Coulter said:
“Services for children and young people are totally inadequate and this report only compounds what has already been said. There are no specialist doctors, nursing staff or psychologists, and no facility to admit anyone under 18 for treatment. The DHSSPS also stated recently that it is “essential” for services to be developed for under-17s – and with alcohol and substance misuse increasing among young people, we need these services sooner rather later.
“We also need to tackle the source of drugs and alcohol misuse - prevention strategies are key. The Government must give its full support to voluntary sector bodies that develop programmes in schools. These programmes empower children and help them make healthy choices.
“The report shows that school absenteeism, conflict with parents, criminal activity, sexual risk taking, violent behaviour and debt are associated with alcohol and drug misuse. If these issues are talked about in schools it would help young people understand that substance and alcohol misuse will not solve their problems”.
Rev Coulter continued:
“This again highlights the utter foolishness of the Direct Rule Administration’s proposals to “liberalise” licensing laws in NI. The Ulster Unionist Party has warned that it would be the most vulnerable who would suffer from such proposals. This report emphasises the need for a regulatory regime that promotes - rather than undermines - socially responsible use of alcohol”.