Smith calls for joint efforts to tackle problem drinking

25/10/07

Speaking at a debate in the Scottish Parliament as part of Scotland’s first Alcohol Awareness Week, Margaret Smith MSP has called for a holistic approach to problem drinking, incorporating measures across a range of policy areas, including health and education as well as justice.

The Edinburgh West MSP also highlighted the scale of the problem and its various negative impacts on individuals and families across Scotland and the country as a whole.

Commenting after the debate, Ms Smith said: “I welcome the introduction of an Alcohol Awareness Week to Scotland as I feel alcohol abuse is a key public health issue for this country. Alcohol misuse has wide-ranging detrimental impacts on Scotland and it is a problem which needs to be tackled through a joint effort from the Government, the alcohol industry and other relevant parties.

“Alcohol abuse cannot be treated as simply a criminal issue but must also be tackled through health, education and commercial initiatives, and we need to ensure that we take a balanced approach to the problem. While it seems inevitable that some measures will impact on those who drink responsibly I believe that sensible restrictions are a price worth paying for the greater good of the people of Scotland.”