A number of community-based projects fighting alcohol and drug abuse in Northern Ireland received a £2 million sterling cash boost today.
Health Minister Ms Bairbre de Brún said the money would be divided between 41 projects and schemes.
Those to benefit include groups working with street drinkers in Derry and IV drug users in south Belfast, projects tackling teenage drinking in Cookstown and offering family support in Ballymena, and peer education programmes in the Southern Board area.
New community development workers will also be employed and a range of education programmes for schools and youth clubs will also be funded.
"These projects will build on work already ongoing and will work with the four Drug and Alcohol Co-ordination teams," the minister said.