Task force aiming to reduce harmful use of alcohol in Sligo
ALCOHOL’S link to cancer was the theme for this year’s ‘European Action on Alcohol’ week.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified alcohol as carcinogenic to humans, like tobacco and asbestos.
The North West Regional Drug & Alcohol Task Force organised a programme of awareness last week, to highlight the dangers of alcohol.
The key messages by the target audience were as follows: 1. Women - one in eight breast cancers are caused by alcohol.
2. Young people - Drinking in your teens and 20s increases your cancer risk.
3. Men - Alcohol plays a role in up to half of all cancers of the mouth, head and neck.
4. LGBTI+ - Alcohol increases the risk of 7 types of cancer. In Ireland, gay and bisexual men have reported higher levels of alcohol intake and binge drinking compared with the heterosexual population.
Women who may not have had children, or are older when they first give birth are some of the factors that may affect lesbian and bisexual women.
Sean O’Connor, of the HSE North West Region Drug & Alcohol Task Force says people may not be fully aware of alcohol’s links to cancer.
“The aims for ourselves in Sligo is to raise awareness. When many people think of cancer they think of cigarettes, but they don’t think about the connection with drink,” he told The Sligo Champion.
“People are drinking more than they should be. People are not fully aware of safe units, they might pour a large glass of wine instead of a standard glass. Consequently, it is harmful.
“I think people don’t connect cancer with alcohol. The risk is higher for people who drink from a young age, maybe before the age of 20.”
Alcohol’s links to mental health problems was also a key topic of discussion.
“Alcohol is a depressant and drinking too much does have an impact on our mental health.
“If people are stressed or anxious they often self medicate with alcohol. It might be to escape problems but in reality that’s only for a few hours.”
Foróige, Sligo Traveller Support Group, and outreach workers in Cranmore and the Northside were also involved in projects last week.
A draft document will be presented to The Sligo Healthy Ireland project, in conjunction with the HSE North West Region Drug & Alcohol Task Force at the meeting today (November 28).
The targets of the strategy are to improve health, well-being and quality of life of people living in Sligo City.
The anticipated effect of implementing the five-year strategy is the following:
Improved health, well-being and quality of life of people living in Sligo City;
Reduced harmful use of alcohol, Reduced alcohol-related harm;
Reduced incidents of alcohol related crime and anti-social behaviour;
Increased access to support services for those affected by another’s alcohol consumption;
Increased access to alcohol treatment services;
Reduced prevalence of alcohol at community events/ activities; and
Reduced alcohol marketing in local areas.
For more information: See www.awarh.eu.