Shock rise in boozing pupils
Fred Wright (an Associate Member) saw this report in the 'Sunday Post' in January 2009
January 2009
There has been a huge rise in the number of Scottish school children who were suspended for alcohol-related issues in the last year.
Figures obtained from 26 of Scotland's 32 local authorities reveal 296 children were excluded for drinking or possessing alcohol.
The largest increase was in South Lanarkshire with 41 exclusions - more than five times the number punished for similar offences the previous year. The Council came under fierce criticism early in 2008 when an ambulance was called to a school after a group of pupils aged between 12 and 14 were found to be dangerously drunk. The pupils had smuggled alcohol in soft drinks containers for a booze binge to celebrate the beginning of the Christmas holidays.
Fife Council also saw a large increase in offences with 33 pupils excluded from 13 the previous year. There were reported increases in other Councils, but also decreases in some.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: We recognise the need for action to help young people make better choices in relation to alcohol use and also to make a longer term change to Scotland's relationship with drink. We have consulted on a package of robust measure to address alcohol misuse in Scotland's and we'll publish our framework for action shortly
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Comment by Mary Ayres
On 2 March 2009, the Scottish Government outlined proposals to tackle alcohol abuse, most importantly to stop cut-price offers. It is acknowledged by Government, MPs, the Medical profession and Police, that we have a serious and growing alcohol problem in the UK with children and adults.
The changes to our licensing laws in the UK brought us:
- No restrictions on where alcohol can be sold
- No restrictions on the number of outlets within a set radius
- No restrictions on licensing hours
The proposals put forward by the Scottish Government have caused debate throughout the UK
Sir Liam Donaldson, the Chief Medical Officer in his report on the state of the nation's health, wrote: Quite simply, England is drinking far too much. England has an alcohol problem. Alcohol is harming society. Alcohol is not simply a problem for the minority who are dependent on it - it is a problem for everybody.
Sir Liam proposed a minimum price of 50p per unit be set in an attempt to tackle the country's drinking problem, but this has been dismissed by the Government. He also said: ...radical measures were necessary to cope with problems resulting from a deeply ingrained drinking culture, which cost the NHS an estimated £2.7 billion a year. Since 1970, alcohol consumption has fallen in many European countries but has increased by 40 per cent in England.
The average yearly intake per adult is now the equivalent of 120 bottles of wine. Sir Liam referred to research by the University of Sheffield, and he estimated that the policy could save more than £1 billion per year and could prevent almost 3,400 deaths per year.
It would reduce the annual number of crimes by almost 46,000 and hospital admissions by nearly 100,000
, Sir Liam wrote, It would significantly reduce absenteeism and unemployment.
The medical profession gave Sir Liam's proposals a warm reception, but the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown said: We don't want the responsible, sensible majority of moderate drinkers to have to pay more or suffer as a result of the excesses of a minority.
The Government also warned that any increase in alcohol duty would be unpopular at a time when many people were struggling with their finances as a result of the recession.
While the proposals by the Scottish Government and Sir Liam Donaldson will not solve our drinking problems overnight, it is a beginning.
What do you think?
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