Scottish Government announces £25 million to reduce alcohol misuse

The Scottish government has set a precedent this week in announcing £25 million for alcohol screening, prevention and treatment for the year 2008/2009. This is a doubling of the previous financial year’s spend of £10.13 million and marks a significant commitment to spend £85 million over the next three years.  Visiting a screening and interventions nurse programme based in Kilmarnock, Shona Robinson, the Minister for Public Health said:

“The record funding I am announcing today demonstrates the Scottish Government's clear commitment to address Scotland's complex relationship with alcohol.

"Far too many Scots are drinking above the recommended amounts on a regular basis - often without realising that they are doing so, and without understanding the impact it is having on their health.

"But Scottish Government action does not stop there. We are currently developing a long term strategic approach to tackling alcohol misuse. We plan to publish our proposals for action before the summer."

This may put pressure on the Department of Health, who so far have made no further commitments to increase spend on alcohol treatment and interventions since it announced an extra £15 million through the Choosing Health agenda.   However it is reported that many PCTs did not direct the allocation to delivering or improving alcohol services as the money had not been ring fenced.  An Alcohol Concern report is expected this year to show how much PCTs are spending on alcohol.

 

For the orginal report and further details visit www.scotland.gov.uk