Substance Use

The Community and Health Department have worked with the appropriate statutory bodies such as the Health Service Executive (HSE), Drugs and Alcohol Taskforces (DATFs), Alcohol Forum and the Drug and Alcohol Co-ordination Teams (DACTs) to update the GAAs Substance Use Policy and ensure Clubs and Counties are kept abreast of best practice in this area.

All clubs are strongly advised to adopt a Substance Use Policy, click HERE to find a sample Club Substance Use Policy. The Policy aims to discourage the use of drugs and tobacco and the misuse of alcohol through three key approaches:

·        Prevent alcohol and other drug related problems from happening

·        Educate members about relevant issues

·        Respond appropriately should a problem arise

The Healthy Club Officer is responsible for overseeing the development, implementation and evaluation of this policy in conjunction with the Club Chairperson and Executive.

Websites

www.askaboutalcohol.ie has information on alcohol and drugs.ie has information on drugs and their effects.

www.alcoholireland.ie This is the website of Alcohol Action Ireland. It is a useful source of information, statistics on alcohol consumption and alcohol policy in Ireland and information on Silent Voices which is aimed at offering support to children, young people and adults who are or who have grown up with parental alcohol misuse.

www.alcoholforum.org The Alcohol Forum is a registered charity working to prevent and reduce alcohol related harms in communities. It provides information on alcohol related brain injuries, impact of alcohol on families and provides support to communities in efforts to reduce alcohol relates harms.

www.drugs.ie Drug and Alcohol Information and Support for Teenagers, Parents and Carers. Advice and Support. Other languages: drugs.ie can be viewed in numerous languages reflecting the modern classroom, eg Polish, Chinese, Lithuanian, Russian, Italian.

www.spunout.ie Health topics for young people

www.reachout.com Irish youth mental health online

www.jigsaw.ie Practical information on youth mental health

https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/4/mentalhealth-services/connecting-for-life/  Connecting for Life is Ireland’s national strategy to reduce suicide 2015-2020.

Reduce the Odds – GAAs Gambling Awareness Programme

Problem gambling is becoming a growing concern in modern times. To respond to this growing concern, the Association has produced the Reduce the Odds workshop, as an educational resource highlighting key risk and actions a club or squad can adapt.

This workshop aims assist GAA members in identifying what problem gambling is and to encourage those who may be experiencing a difficulty to seek support and assistance. It also highlights the strict regulations and consequences – both within GAA rule and the broader laws of the land – regarding match-fixing or the use of insider information for the financial gain of the individual or team concerned, or any third parties involved.

The Community & Health Department, with the support of the National Health & Wellbeing Committee and skilled professionals trained a number of tutors to deliver the Reduce the Odds Workshop. If your club wishes to deliver a Reduce the Odds Workshop, please liaise with the Chairperson of the County Health and Wellbeing Committee.

For further information on Substance Use and/or Reduce the Odds contact blanaid.carney@gaa.ie