The Regional Secretary for Health presented in Angra do Heroísmo the Action Plan for Reducing Alcohol Problems, which focuses on the reduction of supply and demand, with stipulated goals up to 2020.
 
"We have a regional strategy that, for the first time, takes action in two important circuits, the sale and purchase of alcoholic beverages and, for that reason, we are confident in the outcome," said Rui Luís.
 
As for the reduction of demand, the Plan provides for, among other measures, training courses and awareness-raising actions for the population and professionals as well as the implementation of the Regional Forum on Alcohol and Health. This strategy is developed in the area of prevention, dissuasion and reduction of consumption, rehabilitation and reintegration.
 
In turn, the reduction of supply includes, among other measures, a change in the minimum age for the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages, which increases to 18 years, amendments to rules on the licensing of festivals and bars, and the establishment of good alcohol purchase practices among children and young people.
 
The Regional Director for Prevention and Control of Dependencies, who also attended the presentation of this plan, stressed the need for "a priority approach to this problem, which brings increased concerns in terms of public health."
 
The 2015 Report issued by the Intervention Services in Addictive and Dependency Behaviours points out the existence of regional differences between Mainland Portugal and Autonomous Regions. This factor is evidenced by the regional rates of potential years of life lost due to alcohol-related diseases.
 
In the Azores, the figures stood at 253.1 years per 100,000 inhabitants, with the national rate being 221.3 years.
 
According to this report and the survey applied on the National Defence Day, the prevalence of lifetime consumption in the Azores was at 86.5%, standing at 80.2% in the last 12 months and at 59.9% in the last 30 days.
 
"The interventions under this plan intend to cover several areas and to be applied throughout the life cycle and in different relational contexts, such as the family, school or work," stressed Suzete Frias.
 
The Regional Director stated that, within three years, "the aim is to reduce the prevalence of consumption in children and young people, reduce the number of drivers killed in road accidents caused alcohol consumption and reduce the rate of potential years of life lost due to alcohol."
 
This Action Plan for Reducing Alcohol Problems stems from the creation of the Regional Forum on Alcohol and Health, a platform in which various entities sign a letter of commitment with the aim of implementing the plan's goals.