Funding boost to combat drug and alcohol addiction in Coleraine

Social Development Minister McCausland today announced over £125,000 funding for an alcohol intervention project in the Ballysally, Milburn and Churchlands areas Coleraine.
~ Wednesday, 22 June 2011

The funding will allow the continued employment of an outreach worker who will work with drug and alcohol addicts with the aim of reducing their dependency.

Minister McCausland said: “This is good news for people in the Churchlands and Ballysally/Milburn areas. The funding will make a real impact on the lives of people in these communities. The outreach worker will work with them to deal with their problems and refer them on to other agencies where this is appropriate. It will also help to reduce anti-social behaviour and bring about an improvement in the quality of life for everyone who lives in these areas.

“Drug and alcohol addiction is a serious problem that needs to be tackled proactively. This funding will complement the health services already in place in Coleraine and the excellent work that they are doing in the community.”

The project will include the provision of harm reduction advice such as health information, referral to relevant treatment agencies and challenging anti-social behaviour. It will offer a lifeline and support to those who find it difficult to get help.

Notes to editors:

1. The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy “People and Places,” which was published in June 2003, sets out governments proposals for closing the gap between the quality of life for people in the most deprived neighbourhoods and the rest of society.
2. The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy has four interlinking strategic objectives:
   Community Renewal – to develop confident communities that are able and committed to improving the quality of life in the areas;
   Economic Renewal – to develop economic activity in the most deprived neighbourhoods and connect them to the wider urban economy;
   Physical Renewal – to help create attractive, safe, and sustainable environments in the most deprived neighbourhoods; and
   Social Renewal – to improve social conditions for the people who live in the most deprived neighbourhoods through better co-ordinated public services and the creation of safer environments.
3. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.