Regional Forum on Alcohol and Health approves "FRAS Prize" to distinguish entities promoting reduction of alcohol-related problems
The Regional Director for Prevention and Control of Dependencies announced in Ponta Delgada the creation of the Regional Forum on Alcohol and Health Prize (FRAS) that will distinguish entities promoting actions to reduce alcohol-related problems.
"This distinction will represent the public recognition of the efforts undertaken by a group of entities in the areas of education and social and community intervention to mitigate alcohol-related problems," said Suzete Frias. She spoke at the opening of the second meeting of the Regional Forum on Alcohol and Health.
The Regional Director stated that this is another stimulus to the clear determination of Azorean institutions to be part of the solution towards the reduction of consumption.
"In little over a year, 39 entities joined this Forum with the willingness and commitment to implement actions deemed relevant to change behaviours and, therefore, we must value this fact," stressed Suzete Frias.
The meeting was attended by the representatives of the organisations that have joined the Forum, who presented their commitments. It also included the presentation of the regulations of FRAS Prize and those of the Regional Forum on Alcohol and Health.
The Regional Forum on Alcohol and Health is a platform that includes a various entities that have signed a letter of commitment. This is one of the proposals of the Action Plan for the Reduction of Alcohol-Related Problems and an operational tool of the Regional Health Plan for the 2014-2020 period.
The initiative is primarily aimed at the prevention, deterrence and reduction of problems related to alcohol consumption in order to ensure that the sale and consumption of alcohol be done in a safe manner.
Regional entities that have developed local projects with relevance in the context of social and community intervention may apply for the FRAS Prize; eligible projects are required to have been developed or implemented last year.
These entities include Private Social Solidarity Institutions, Non-Governmental Organisations, Professional Associations and Municipalities.
Suzete Frias, who chairs this Forum, expressed her satisfaction with the relevance and creativity of the initiatives that are being implemented following the commitments made by partners.
"These initiatives demonstrate the social responsibility of all partners and the awareness that the reduction of alcohol-related problems requires a concerted and systemic action," the government official said, adding that "they will certainly have an impact on community health."
The 39 partners made commitments in the areas of prevention (26), communication (18), rehabilitation (15), risk reduction (10), treatment (8) and regulation and supervision (2), representing a total of 125 actions. They involve the provision of information, youth involvement, education, counselling, media activities, commercial communication, treatment, research, skills development, referral, supervision, mediation and cultural intervention.
By 2020, the Regional Forum on Alcohol and Health proposes to reduce alcohol consumption by two percentage points, decrease the number of drivers killed in road accidents, and reduce the rate of potential years of life lost due to alcohol.