By Bill Heaney
In light of the recent reports of an increase in alcohol-related deaths – and the introduction of minimum pricing of alcohol to 65p per unit this week – what steps is the Scottish Government taking to reduce excessive drinking, Conservative MSP Brian Whittle asked First Minister John Swinney on Thursday.
Mr Swinney replied that the recent statistics are “a stark reminder of the challenge that our nation faces in tackling alcohol harm.”
He added: “The increase in minimum unit pricing of alcohol to 65p per unit this week is an example of concrete action taken by this Government to prevent alcohol harm.
“Research has estimated that our policy has saved hundreds of lives and has likely averted hundreds of alcohol-attributable hospital admissions, compared with what would have happened without minimum unit pricing in place.
“To support people who are already drinking at hazardous and harmful levels, the Scottish Government provided a sustained record investment of £112 million to alcohol and drug partnerships this year.”
Brian Whittle told MSPs: “Whether we agree with the effectiveness of minimum unit pricing or not, we will agree that it will certainly not be a silver bullet. Many people who are caught in excessive drinking or addiction are self-medicating to counter other traumas.
“If we are to effectively tackle the scourge of that addiction in Scotland, we need to not only recognise the right to recovery that is advocated by the Scottish Conservatives but work to prevent others from falling into addiction.”
The former international athlete asked: “Does the First Minister recognise that community activities such as music and drama, and activities provided by youth clubs, sports clubs, the scouts, the guides and all the similar great organisations can also be positive alternative forms of self-medication?
“If he does, does he further recognise that reducing access to such activities in schools and the community, closing facilities and squeezing third sector funding makes preventing addiction that much more difficult?”
“The only note of discord that I would sound is that we have to find the money from somewhere. I keep coming back to the point that it is all very well for members of Parliament to come here and ask us to fund things and make other provision—which I think is totally valuable—but they must say where they would find the resources for that if they are not going to support us with regard to having the means to do so.
“Mr Whittle’s party was responsible for the chaos in our public finances with which we wrestle, and the Government is working our way through those challenges. I simply appeal to Mr Whittle to follow through on his commitment to encourage me to support those organisations and activities by supporting us in having the means to invest in them through the budget process.”
“The minimum unit pricing of alcohol has already proven itself, given that analysis by Public Health Scotland and the University of Glasgow estimates that the policy “has reduced alcohol deaths by 13.4 per cent and hospital admissions caused by alcohol by 4.1 per cent,” Collette Stevenson MSP told parliament.
Former international athlete Brian Whittle MSP, First Minister John Swinney and Labour MSP Carol Mochan discussed Scotland’s eternal problem – excessive drinking.
Mr Swinney agreed: “Recent commentary in The Lancet—in a contribution by internationally renowned public health experts—stated: ‘Policy makers can be confident that there are several hundred people … who are alive today as a result of minimum unit pricing’.
“That is something that I think we should all welcome as showing the effectiveness of the policy. However, minimum unit pricing is not the only instrument of policy that we have.
“On alcohol treatment, the Government has made available £112 million to alcohol and drug partnerships, and we have made £100 million available—or will do so over the course of this parliamentary session—to increase access to residential rehabilitation.
“We will work with stakeholders to create a new national service specification, alongside guidance for alcohol treatment, to address these issues.”
Labour’s Carol Mochan said: “The World Health Organization estimates that more than half of children in Scotland have tried alcohol before they turn 13. What progress is the Government making on the issue? Will the First Minister commit to pursuing policies, with some urgency, that deliver an alcohol-free childhood?”