Mission to turn the time
Politicians believe alcohol abuse has a wide-reaching cost on our society.
And Airdrie and Shotts MP Neil Gray, reviewing the latest figures, hopes this generation can be the one to turn the tide and finally see the problem tackled.
He said:“Clearly these are worrying statistics and illustrate some of the reasons I have been so supportive of the Scottish Government’s measures to tackle alcohol abuse.
“We have already seen intervention on bargain-basement supermarket deals and now we have finally seen minimum unit pricing given the go-ahead.
“I hope these measures, taken with local education from schools and the health service, will change behaviour over time.
“Unfortunately this type of alcohol abuse is costing our society and our NHS dear – but it’s ingrained over generations.
“I desperately hope this can be the generation which finally sees a decline in alcohol abuse.”
Motherwell and Wishaw MP Marion Fellows believes there needs to be“an attitude change in Scotland”.
She said:“Many admissions will be people who suffer from problem drinking or alcoholism. It is essential that these people are given the support they require to deal with their issues – socially and economically.
“The Scottish Government are enacting a minimum price for alcohol, ensuring certain drinks are more expensive to purchase – while the vast majority remain unaffected.
“The SNP have also banned multi-buy discounts, irresponsible drinks promotions and introduced a stricter drink-drive limit too.”