Hansard

Scotland’s problems with alcohol are deep rooted. The statistics demonstrate that, and as we have heard, I imagine that the lived experiences of everyone contributing to the debate show that, too. However, that does not mean that we can simply shrug our shoulders and accept the situation. I am therefore pleased that there is cross-party support for tackling Scotland’s alcohol problems.

The British Medical Association has described Britain’s relationship with alcohol as an “epidemic” and has outlined the scale of the problem in Scotland. Alcohol is related to more than 60 types of disease, disability and injury; more than a million people in Scotland are drinking hazardously or harmfully; and over the past 30 years, UK liver cirrhosis mortality has risen by more than 450 per cent across the population. I looked at that figure as I was waiting to speak and thought, “Can that be right?” I checked it in my papers and 450 per cent is right. It is a stunning figure.

The BMA further notes that, in recent years, the number of alcohol-related hospital admissions has fallen, although the figure remains higher than the figures for the rest of the UK and Europe. However, the BMA goes on to note that alcohol-related hospital admissions are approximately six to seven times higher for patients living in the most deprived areas compared with those living in the least deprived areas.

When faced with such knowledge, there is often a rush to create new offences and new regulations: when we see a problem, we understandably want to try to tackle it. However, before looking to manufacture new rules, we should always ensure that the current ones are enforced. As Frances Ennis, an expert on licensing law at the respected law firm Pinsent Masons, has explained,

“One of the main problems with the Scottish licensing system is not the lack of appropriate legislation. If the vast majority of existing legislation was properly funded and implemented, then there would be little need for additional provisions.”

Alcohol misuse is not something that can simply be corrected by new statutes or improved enforcement. For many people, alcohol misuse is often a function of the shocking absence of life chances. It is no accident that there is a relationship between alcohol misuse and poverty. It is critical that we change our approach to one of early intervention, health awareness and community-based support. All of that costs money, however.

My colleague Dr Richard Simpson raised the Government’s failure to act on the idea of a social responsibility levy. That idea sounds like a good one to me, as it could provide a way of enabling the many groups that are rightly praised in the motion to take more action on alcohol-related problems.

Richard Simpson’s Alcohol (Licensing, Public Health and Criminal Justice) (Scotland) Bill, which is currently before the Parliament, contains many commonsense provisions. Increasing the length of time for which a statutory notice for a new alcohol licence is made public is a sensible provision. The same can be said about imposing a statutory duty on the Scottish Government to update and report on its alcohol strategy.

At the heart of the bill is the idea of drinking banning orders, involving GPs and other professionals in helping those who have a problem with alcohol. That is the sort of bold measure that we need in order to tackle our alcohol problem seriously. A multisector approach, with criminal justice professionals, social workers and the medical profession working together, will yield the best results.

The Fife alcohol fixed-penalty diversion scheme, which has been running under the Kirkcaldy-based Fife Alcohol Support Service, started as a pilot scheme in 2011. Dr Simpson’s bill takes much from that scheme. I hope that the bill is given proper consideration by the Parliament.

In Fife, there has been some great work aimed at tackling alcohol misuse. Fife Council has provided funding of £250,000 for residential rehabilitation for both drug and alcohol use. Although that is not a new concept, it is new money, which was secured when my colleague Alex Rowley was council leader. It is a relatively small project, with 16 people benefiting last year, nine of whom had difficulties with alcohol. However, those are people who otherwise would not have had the opportunity to get the comprehensive and intensive access to rehab that is afforded by that investment. The project recognises that many people who abuse alcohol also abuse other substances, which is an approach that is more holistic than many others.

The Scottish Drugs Forum’s addiction worker training project, which in Fife is jointly funded by the alcohol and drug partnership and Fife Council, is an initiative that is open to people who are recovering from alcohol or drug problems. It allows them to train for a career in social care, with particular emphasis on substance misuse services, providing them with real workplace-based training and an opportunity to obtain a level 2 Scottish vocational qualification in social care. The aim of the AWTP, which launched more than a decade ago, is therefore to help former drug and alcohol users to prepare for employment in social care through in-work placements and formal learning. It is the first project in Scotland to offer former drug and alcohol users the opportunity to gain supported work experience and a qualification while receiving a wage for the duration of the course. The project develops a multi-agency approach to employability for former substance users.

Those schemes are grounded in their communities, and they strike the correct balance between supporting those who misuse alcohol and ensuring that the community is protected from the negative consequences of such misuse. I believe that the Scottish Government should closely examine them.

I agree with Alcohol Focus Scotland about creating health-promoting communities, where citizens play an active role. Ensuring that the licensing system supports meaningful community involvement is an accountable and responsive approach. It is not an easy task, however. It will necessitate cultural changes across Scotland in families, schools, colleges, universities and beyond. The Parliament can only do so much to encourage people to make the necessary changes.

We must refocus our efforts to tackle Scotland’s problematic relationship with alcohol. The work that has been done in Fife and across Scotland, largely by local authorities, charities and voluntary organisations, is beginning to show results. We must work collaboratively with them and with the public to take the steps that are needed to sort out Scotland’s relationship with alcohol.