Colin ReganASAP National Coordinator

Developing a Club Drug & Alcohol

Policy

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Binge per 100 drinking occasions

Irish Adults - European Comparison

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Irish 16 Year olds - European Comparison

A.S.A.P. Programme

750,000 Club members

2,000+ Club Officers

32 County Officers

4 Provincial Officers

1 National Officer

A.S.A.P. Programme

• Reduce the harm from alcohol & other drugs• National template • 32 County Officers• Officer in every club in the country• DVD for clubs• Education for parents/guardians• Website & video messages from players• Helps resist negative peer pressure• Linked in with existing drug/alcohol services

1. Prevention of drug and alcohol abuse

2. Education about drugs and alcohol

3. Planned responses to likely drug and alcohol incidents

Club Drug & Alcohol policies should include….

7 Steps to developing your Club Drug & Alcohol Policy

A.S.A.P. Programme

• The committee for developing the policy must involve of management, coaches, parents and players.

• Young people must be involved in a meaningful way.

• Keep the committee to a maximum of 8.

1. Form a committee to develop the policy.

GAA Club Manual for Drugs & Alcohol

•GAA Task Force Report on Alcohol www.gaa.ie/page/official_reports

•ASAP Programme “Club Matters” DVD

•Contact your local Health Promotion or Drug & Alcohol service

•ASAP Website www.gaa.ie/asap

2. Study relevant resources

• Every club has different needs.

• Spend some time discussing the types of problems that have happened before.

• Think about the type of difficulties that are likely to come up in the future in your area and your policy on these.

3. Review the situation in your area regarding drugs/alcohol.

Keep it to 2- 3 (max.) pages in lengthThe least a policy should include is…• Reason for having a policy• Definition of the word “drug”• Rules on alcohol, drugs, tobacco, medicine• Roles and responsibilities• Education about alcohol and drug use• Sanctions & Confidentiality• Procedures for monitoring and evaluation

4. Prepare a draft copy of the Club Drug & Alcohol Policy.

• SEND OUT COPIES TO EVERYONE• Invite people to give feedback on the draft policy.• Amend it to include relevant feedback.• Get club management to ratify the policy and formally adopt its recommendations.

5. Circulate the draft policy

• Officially launch of the policy to; 1. signify its start date 2. get some positive media coverage 3. let everyone know of its existence • Make sure EVERYONE in the club gets a copy.• Display it in the club. • Move quickly to arrange an education or training event to capitalise on momentum.

6. Finalise, launch and start implementing the policy.

• The types of drugs being used changes so get annual updates.

• The policy should be reviewed annually and always after an incident to see if it was effective or it needs to be amended.

7. Monitor, review and evaluate the policy.

Club Drug & Alcohol Policy

Follow the steps in the

manual and your club

will be better able to…

1. prevent alcohol and

drug problems from

happening,

2. know what to do

when alcohol or drug

problems do occur.

A.S.A.P. Programme Resources

Colin Regan

National CoordinatorA.S.A.P. Programme

Croke Park3 Jones Road

Dublin 3

(087) 2945705

Colin.regan@gaa.ie

Contact Details for the A.S.A.P. Programme