Work to reduce alcohol-related harm must continue

Alcohol Advisory Council
Press Release
Friday 21 November 2003

Work to reduce alcohol-related harm must continue, says ALAC

The Alcohol Advisory Council (ALAC) hopes the withdrawal of funding for Safer Communities Councils will not halt community work on reducing alcohol-related harm.

The Justice Department’s Crime Prevention Unit has announced that community crime funding will now be allocated on a project-by-project basis rather than directly to the Safer Community Councils as in the past.

Safer Communities Councils are part of territorial local authorities and undertake crime reduction projects in the community.

“ALAC is concerned at any potential loss of momentum for communities on reducing alcohol-related harm,” says ALAC Chief Executive Dr Mike MacAvoy.

“The Safer Communities Councils have in many communities played a key role in such work as the Youth Access to Alcohol (YATA) programme.

“We would encourage all communities to use the opportunity for project funding to utilise strategies like YATA or other evidence based projects that reduce alcohol-related harm for young people and those related to intoxication."

ENDS

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