RADICAL ACTION ON ALCOHOL DAMAGE NEEDED.

RADICAL ACTION ON ALCOHOL DAMAGE NEEDED.

POLITICAL GAMES MUST STOP TO SAVE SCOTLAND’S HEALTH.

SNP MSP Michael Matheson has today called for serious action on alcohol in Scottish society as new figures show the number of patients treated for alcohol related issues in Scottish hospitals has increased 20% over the last 5 years.

With over 100 alcohol related cases a day Mr Matheson said;

“These figures alongside recent information showing the high numbers of alcohol related deaths in Scotland and the news that we are the world’s eighth biggest drinkers only reinforces the need for real action to be taken to tackle Scotland’s alcohol problem.

“The personal, emotional and economic costs of Scotland’s drink epidemic damage our society.

“It is time for all parties to get on board and join the Scottish Government in it’s commitment to tackling Scotland’s relationship with the bottle.

“It is no longer acceptable for MSPs to use this issue for the political point scoring. When the government’s proposals come out in the near future all parties must show their real commitment to tackling this problem.

“Simply checking ID cards as Labour want is not enough to address the very real damage alcohol is doing to people across Scotland.

“The cheaper alcohol gets the worse Scotland’s problems become. We can not fiddle at the edges as opposition parties would have us do. We need a radical approach to Scotland’s alcohol problem and it’s time for all parties to get on board.”