In Poland, the legal basis for solving alcohol-related problems is provided by the Act on Upbringing in Sobriety and Counteracting Alcoholism of 26 October 1982.

System of prevention and solving alcohol-related problems is based on three complementary action programmes which are to be implemented at various administrative levels:

1. Municipal programmes for prevention and solving alcohol-related problems are endorsed by municipal councils every year and executed by municipal selfgovernments. The Act on Upbringing in Sobriety and Counteracting Alcoholism defines key categories of tasks that the municipal administrations have to implement under the municipal programme and specifies the source for their financing, whereas PARPA annually, based on surveys and analyses issues recommendations for development of municipal programmes.

2. Provincial programmes for prevention and solving alcohol-related problems are implemented at the level of provincial self-governments.

3. The National Programme for Preventing and Resolving Alcohol-Related Problems designates the tasks to be implemented by the national governmental administration, the National Broadcasting Council and the State Agency for Prevention of Alcohol-related Problems. PARPA is responsible for coordination of implementation of the 5-year Programme as well as for integration of all three administrative levels, i.e. central, provincial, and municipal, specifying issue categories and strategic goals for them. While maintaining separate management and financing mechanisms for preventing and solving alcohol-related problems at individual administrative levels, as the Act stipulates, the Programme sets forth foundation for implementation of integrated policy with respect to alcohol and counteracting negative effects of alcohol consumption.