An initiative has been developed by the Lanarkshire Alcohol and Drug Action Team (ADAT), a partnership between NHS Lanarkshire, North and South Lanarkshire Councils, the Scottish Prison Service, Strathclyde Police, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue and the voluntary sector.

The plans are part of the Lanarkshire ADAT Strategy for 2008-11, which is based on an analysis of local needs. A three-year delivery plan has also been developed to support the objectives and targets set out in the strategy.

It includes details of additional funding from the Scottish Government for alcohol services over the next three years, including £1.6 million for 2008/09.

This will be spent on alcohol screening, prevention and treatment services including training to GPs, practice nurses and other community health staff.

The delivery plan also includes investment in prevention, early intervention and treatment programmes for children and families affected by parental substance misuse.

Chairman of Lanarkshire ADAT Colin Sloey, who is NHS Lanarkshire's director of North Lanarkshire Community Health Partnership, said: "Problematic alcohol and drug use among young people has a detrimental effect on the young people themselves, their families and the communities they live in.

"The additional funding will give us an opportunity to not only enhance, but to speed up the programme of service improvements.

"We are aiming to further reduce the impact and level of drug and alcohol use among young people in Lanarkshire through education, prevention and diversion.

"We have introduced a number of innovative and effective approaches through the Lanarkshire ADAT. Our new strategy is about developing more of these approaches and making them available to a wider number of young people."

A copy of the strategy is available at www.lanadat.org