ENNISKILLEN councillor Keith Elliott intends to raise the issue of local delivery services bringing alcohol directly to the doorsteps of vulnerable people in the community at the next Fermanagh and Omagh Police and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) meeting.
He says he has concerns that people who are particularly vulnerable in society are taking “advantage of easy access to goods and services”, using these as a means of feeding their addiction.
The Impartial Reporter has been contacted by two concerned members of the community who are aware that alcohol deliveries have been happening in their areas on a regular basis.
While neither of these people wanted to be named, they say something needs to be done to put an end to this 
“Drink is being delivered early in the mornings - they deliver quite a lot to the area I am living in,”said one of the concerned members of the community.
“I know someone who was being delivered to on quite a regular basis - he is in hospital at the moment.
“It is incredible that people can just put in an order and it is delivered to them, no questions - as if it is a takeaway.
“They are being allowed to feed their addiction - I don’t think it is right.”
The other concerned community member says their sister is in a particularly vulnerable position.
“I have spoken to elected representatives about this issue. I am really concerned about it. It is so wrong.
“I would say there are more than just the two examples we have spoken of here - there are bound to be more people who are having alcohol delivered to them like this too.
“It is an issue that needs to be taken seriously.”
PCSP’s Keith Elliott, says he is aware of the issue.
“We live in a modern society where goods and services have become much more readily available. Advances in technology and eCommerce have been key to the societal change that has been to the benefit of many of us.
“However, it is concerning that those of a vulnerable nature are subconsciously damaging their health and well-being by taking advantage of easy access to goods and services. Instead of encouraging the growth of this culture, we should be encouraging the many charitable and support agencies who work to tackle addictions in our County.”
He is planning to raise the topic at the next PCSP meeting.
His party colleague, Raymond Farrell, is also aware of the issue, describing it as “complex”.
“I think there is a great need to educate and inform people about the consequences of alcohol,” he said. “And about the impact of alcohol on an individual and on families - that is paramount in continuing to get the message out there.”
He believes that the overall responsibility lies with individuals - “a self-responsibility”.
“People need to seek support and help. This is a societal problem that no one group or individual can really answer. So a discussion needs to be had on how can we collectively as a society challenge alcohol and the impacting behaviours of it.
“It is a very complex issue,” said Councillor Farrell, a mental health practitioner. 
A spokesperson for the Police Service of Northern Ireland said: 
“It wouldn’t be unlawful for intoxicating liquor or alcohol to be delivered to customers who are over the age of 18.”