ALCOHOL REPORT EXPOSES OPPOSITION MISJUDGEMENT

For immediate use: Monday 1st November 2010




Attn: NEWSDESKS


POLITICAL / HEALTH CORRESPONDENTS

Following a new report by the Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs , the organisation led by former UK Government drugs adviser David Nutt the SNP said it showed the error of judgement made by opposition parties in opposing minimum pricing.


Today’s report places Alcohol above heroin and crack cocaine in terms of the harm it does to society because of the far higher levels of consumption across the country.


The Scottish Parliament will debate the final stage of the Scottish Government’s Alcohol bill later this month. Opposition parties have so far refused to support proposals from the SNP backed by health and justice professionals to introduce minimum pricing for alcohol.


SNP MSP and Health Committee member Michael Matheson said:

“Action to tackle the problems of alcohol in our society is essential.


This problem cannot be ignored.


“Opposition parties have made a significant error of judgement in their refusal to support the introduction of minimum pricing for alcohol.


“With reports now showing the harmful impact of alcohol on society is higher than that of drugs like heroin and cocaine no politician should stop real action being taken.



“The SNP is committed to tackling Scotland's problem with alcohol and to minimum pricing as part of the solution. The alcohol bill put forward by the SNP will end deep discounts and improve controls on alcohol however opposition parties should take this opportunity to reconsider their position and back minimum pricing plans that will help the whole of Scottish society.


“With the deafening silence on alcohol pricing coming from the new Con- Dem coalition and Labour's record of politicising public health demonstrated by their refusal to support minimum pricing and their treatment of Professor Nutt the failure of opposition parties to act risks doing further damage to our health and communities.”


ENDS