Alcohol Policy UK

Alcohol Research UK reports: pricing in Scotland, belief and environmental influences on drinking

Three new reports funded by Alcohol Research UK have been released:

Alcohol pricing and purchasing among heavy drinkers in Edinburgh and Glasgow

This study from Edinburgh Napier University/Queen Margaret University makes an important contribution to the debates on alcohol pricing and harm in Scotland. There are some key findings:

Alcohol offender 'sobriety tag' scheme could go national

Boris: wants the 'crime fighting technology' across the capital

The Mayor of London's 'Compulsory Sobriety Pilot' has been extended for a further six months, following a 'successful' trial in four London boroughs. Launched by Boris Johnson in 2014, the scheme tested use of 'sobriety tags' as an option for certain alcohol-related offences.

The 12 month pilot saw 111 people in the south London boroughs of Croydon, Lambeth, Southwark and Sutton issued with “alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement” (AAMR) orders and fitted with the ankle tags. 91% of offenders reportedly reached the mandated 120-day period without breaching the order.

In the pilot AAMRs were an option for alcohol offences such as drink driving, resisting arrest, assault or criminal damage. Domestic Violence offences were excluded, and AMMRs were not offered to dependent drinkers. All offenders reportedly received a brief intervention.

National roll out?