THE Chief Minister's drug and alcohol strategy report for 2009-2010 is now available.

It gives details of the work in progress on drugs and alcohol and shows that legal highs have been one of the biggest ongoing challenges.

Home Affairs Minister Adrian Earnshaw said one of the achievements during the year was the introduction of a new voluntary code of practice on the display and sale of alcohol in off licenced premises and supermarkets which was drawn up by the Department of Home Affairs in partnership with Offwatch.

The main purpose of the code is to restrict the display of alcohol to one single main area in shops other than those 'satellite areas' approved by the licensing court.

It also prescribes the positioning of signs, removal of advertisements, removal of bulk sales from outside main alcohol sales areas and the provision of health advice leaflets.

Home Affairs Minister Adrian Earnshaw MHK said: "We have to offer our sincere thanks to the licensing trade for their co-operation in agreeing to the implementation of the responsible retailing code.

"This initiative is being watched by neighbouring jurisdictions that are envious of the Island's abililty to co-ordinate such a ground breaking agreement, removing the need for additional regulatory legislation.

"We will monitor its impact but the aim is to reduce the exposure of young and vulnerable people to high profile cheap alcohol promotions that can affect the health of our community."

The full report is available at www.gov.im/dha

Also see: Report reveals "significant changes" in the Island's illicit drug scene

              Rapid rise in use of legal highs outlined in report

              Drug and alcohol strategy criticised ahead of annual report

Chief Minister Tony Brown MHK, strategy co-ordinator and Department of Home Affairs director of drug and alcohol policy Margaret O'Reilly, Home Affairs Minister Adrian Earnshaw MHK and Member of the Department of Home Affairs with responsibility for the strategy Bill Malarkey MHK