SNP GOVERNMENT INVESTS £36 MILLION TO CUT COST OF BOOZE CULTURE.

SNP GOVERNMENT INVESTS £36 MILLION TO CUT COST OF BOOZE CULTURE.

TOGETHER WE’VE GOT WHAT IT TAKES TO TACKLE ALCOHOL MISUSE

SNP MSP Michael Matheson - a member of the Scottish Parliament's Health Committee - has welcomed the SNP Government's announcement today that £36 million will be invested to tackle alcohol misuse in Scotland this year.

Mr Matheson pointed out that the funding would go some way to saving the country money which will be better spent on other frontline services during the present economic climate. Alcohol misuse costs the country £2.25 billion every single this year and the cash injection will help reduce that waste in public spending.

Commenting Mr Matheson, the MSP for Falkirk West, said:

“Alcohol misuse is major problem in Scotland which effects the lives of thousands of Scots and Scottish families every single year and costs the taxpayer billions. That is why the SNP is committed to tackling this problem and has already announced a series of effective policy announcements.

"Along with those policies and this investment, we can all work together to reduce both the cost to the tax payer and the misery alcohol misuse costs Scots emotionally.

“This cash injection will be a boost to local health boards who deal with the misuse of alcohol and see how badly it can effect Scots on a day to day basis.

“The 45% increase in spending underlines our commitment to tackling one of Scotland’s major problems. The SNP and the Scottish Government is saying that with our local health boards we’ve got what it takes to tackle the misuse of alcohol.”

The Government's announcement can be read here:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2009/05/13103111