SNP ALCOHOL PLAN CAN TACKLE YOUTH DRINKING.

SNP ALCOHOL PLAN CAN TACKLE YOUTH DRINKING.

Figures showing the extent of alcohol abuse among Scotland's young people add to the pressing case for action to tackle Scotland's relationship with alcohol.

SNP MSP Michael Matheson has spoken out after figures obtained by the Daily Record show over 1000 children between the ages of 10 and 17 were admitted to hospital in connection with alcohol in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area between 2003 and 2007. The figures show people under 17 have been treated for alcohol related problems in health boards across Scotland.

SNP MSP and Health Committee member Michael Matheson today said these figures provide further evidence of the damaging impact of alcohol at all levels in Scottish society, Mr Matheson said;

“These alarming figures demonstrate exactly why the Scottish Government have brought forward tough new measures to tackle Scotland’s problems of alcohol misuse.

"It's time Scotland took a long hard look at our relationship with alcohol, young and old and took the radical action we need to tackle this problem.

"Alcohol abuse is costing our public services £2.25 billion, and much more in terms of human misery.
"It is vital that Parliament backs these proposals, which include minimum pricing, a ban on quantity discount promotions, a duty on licensing boards to consider raising the off-sales purchase age to 21, and a social responsibility fee for some retailers.

“Taken together these proposals can protect and discourage children and young people from the scourge of alcohol misuse and change Scotland’s relationship with alcohol for the better.

“The SNP Government has more than trebled investment in tackling alcohol misuse over the next three years because we recognise the scale of the damage caused by alcohol misuse to individuals, families and communities."