Eurocare

EUROCARE was formed in 1990 as an alliance of voluntary and non-governmental organisations representing a diversity of views and cultural attitudes and concerned with the impact of the European Union on alcohol policy in Member States. It now has 36 member organisations in 12 member states of the Union and 7 associate member organisations in 6 non-EU countries.

EUROCARE is an acronym for European Council for Alcohol Research Rehabilitation and Education. In 1993 the members agreed that the working title of the organisation should be EUROCARE - Advocacy for the Prevention of Alcohol Related Harm in Europe.

Member organisations are involved in the provision of information to the public; education and training of voluntary and professional community care workers; the provision of workplace and school based programmes; counselling services, residential support and alcohol-free clubs for problem drinkers; and research and advocacy institutes. Some member organisations work in all of these fields, but most are involved in only one or two areas.

The aims of Eurocare:

• Provide a forum for non-governmental European Union organisations and institutions working in the field of alcohol prevention.
• Establish, where possible, common ground and purpose among members of the European Union.
• Provide a regular exchange of information.
• Foster among its members an understanding of social, cultural, economic and political responses to the use of alcohol throughout Europe.
• Facilitate the collection, collation, analysis, dissemination and utilisation of data on alcohol consumption and related harm within the EU and other countries.
• Develop alcohol prevention and rehabilitation strategies and programmes appropriate to the needs of individuals and their environment.
• Stimulate a wide range of alcohol education and training programmes for special target areas such as the workplace, schools and social and health care organisations.
• Seek co-operation with appropriate international agencies.