Published Friday, 27 January 2012
The five-year plan was introduced during the first ever formal north, south conference on the subject, which took place in Armagh on Thursday.
Mr Poots and his ROI counterpart, Dr James Reilly, were joined by policymakers from both jurisdiction for the landmark meeting.
The DUP minister said it has set the scene for an "all-island, collaborative approach" on tackling alcohol misuse.
"Alcohol use and misuse is an area where both jurisdictions can achieve a lot together - especially in dealing with the challenges that alcohol presents for young adults," Mr Poots said after the event.
Alcohol remains our favourite drug, and we face similar problems on both sides of the border.
Health Minister Edwin Poots
"The areas we would like progress on a north south basis are measures to reduce the availability of cheap alcohol and treatment and rehabilitation of those affected by alcohol misuse.
"Alcohol use and misuse is an area where both jurisdictions can achieve a lot together - especially in dealing with the challenges that alcohol presents for young adults."
According to the Health Department's research, it costs up to £900m a year to deal with alcohol related issues - £250m of which is paid by the health sector.
In 2010 and 2011, there were 12,000 admissions to acute hospitals with an alcohol-related diagnosis and 355 admissions for liver disease.
Meanwhile in the Republic, 2,000 beds are occupied every night in acute hospitals because of alcohol misuse, with annual costs to the healthcare system €1.2 billion.
Mr Poots continued: "If we do not take significant and robust action, the costs to Northern Ireland, and the health and social care system in particular, will continue to grow.
"Therefore, I am pleased to launch our revised strategy to prevent and address the harms related to alcohol and drug misuse in Northern Ireland, known as the New Strategic Direction for Alcohol and Drugs - Phase 2."
The plan sets out outcomes for five main areas - prevention and early intervention, harm reduction, treatment and support, law and criminal justice, and monitoring, evaluation and research.
Dr Reilly said: "This conference has set the scene for a longer term, all-island collaborative approach for tackling issues relating to alcohol abuse.
"The areas we would like progress on a north, south basis are measures to reduce the availability of cheap alcohol and treatment and rehabilitation of those affected by alcohol misuse.
"Alcohol use and misuse is an area where both jurisdictions can achieve a lot together - especially in dealing with the challenges that alcohol presents for young adults."
If plans for minimum pricing go ahead they could be introduced within the next three years.