Galway City Alcohol Forum 

Galway City Alcohol Forum 

The Galway City Alcohol Forum is a mulitagency group led by HSE Health Promotion and Improvement, Western Region Drug and Alcohol Task Force, Galway Roscommon Education and Training Board, and Dr Ann Hope with other representation from An Garda Siochana, Galway City Partnership, Galway City Community Network, Galway City Council, Galway City Council Elected Representatives, Atlantic Technological University, HSE Addiction Services, Environmental Health and Public Health, NUI Galway Health Promotion, NUI Galway Students Union and Youth Work Ireland, Galway. 

In 2013, Galway was the first city in Ireland to develop a strategy to prevent and reduce alcohol related harm as part of the Galway Healthy Cities Programme. The Galway City Strategy to Prevent and Reduce Alcohol Related Harm (2013-2017) involved a multiagency approach, both in the development and implementation across key areas of prevention, alcohol availability, treatment and support services, monitoring and evaluation. 

Following evalaution of the first strategy the Galway City Alcohol Forum developed its second strategy in 2019. The forum developed this strategy to prevent and reduce alcohol related harm, thereby making Galway City a more pleasant and safer place enabling a better quality of life for everyone. The strategy recognises that there is a multitude of problems associated with Irelands relationship with alcohol. In addition to the serious health consequences, the harmful use of alcohol has a significant impact on our families, communities, hospitals and health services, economy and society.

In November 2024 the forum launched its third strategy. The focus is to develop our communication and awareness raising actions. This will be guided by the research evidence and foster greater collaboration among a number of agencies and the wider community.

The strategy has 3 Goals:
1.  Communication & Awareness Enhance communication & public awareness of alcohol related harm in Galway City
2.  Data Collection Strengthen data collection and utilisation on alcohol related harm in Galway City.
3.  Build the capacity of people and organisations Develop the capacity of people and organisations to reduce alcohol related harm in Galway City

A second strategy has been developed by Galway City Alcohol Forum to prevent and reduce alcohol related harm in Galway City. The strategy was launched on Thursday 21st November 2019.

Galway City Alcohol Strategy (2019-2023) sets out 4 goals and related actions to:
- 1. Strengthen Community Engagement to support implementation of alcohol strategy and reduce alcohol harm
- 2. Promote implementation of effective alcohol policies
- 3. Reduce exposure of children to alcohol related harm
- 4. Promote and advocate for support and treatment services for those affected by alcohol

For full strategy document click here

The Forum are planning further events later in the year including an event on Older People and Alcohol in September.