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| Alcohol abuse 'becoming epidemic' | Alcohol abuse 'becoming epidemic' |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| The "epidemic" of alcohol abuse is one of Scotland's greatest public health challenges, according to experts. | |
| The warning came at the launch of the new Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP) group to consider measures to stop excess drinking. | |
| Latest figures show that one in four men and one in 10 women are putting their health at risk through drinking. | Latest figures show that one in four men and one in 10 women are putting their health at risk through drinking. |
| Health Minister Andy Kerr said he was aware of the problem of alcohol and a strategy was in place to tackle it. | |
| SHAAP has warned that "radical measures", such as increasing the tax on alcohol, may have to be brought in. | |
| Figures also show that hospital admissions relating to alcohol are soaring and one in 30 deaths are alcohol-related. | Figures also show that hospital admissions relating to alcohol are soaring and one in 30 deaths are alcohol-related. |
| Alcohol misuse has now reached epidemic proportions in Scotland and forms one of the greatest public health challenges of our time Dr Bruce RitsonSHAAP chairman | Alcohol misuse has now reached epidemic proportions in Scotland and forms one of the greatest public health challenges of our time Dr Bruce RitsonSHAAP chairman |
| There are also concerns that health problems relating to drinking are becoming more common among young people. | |
| Mr Kerr said he wanted to build upon what the health professionals in Scotland were already doing to identify and tackle alcohol-related issues. | |
| He added: "At the end of the day social drinking and drinking in moderation is not the issue. | |
| "What we have here is a problem around Scotland, and I have to say it's not just about kids binge drinking, it is about the company executive having a couple of gins when they get home and then it's a glass of wine at dinner. | |
| Wider awareness | |
| "As a nation we have a very strange attitude towards alcohol. | |
| "I do believe we need to be radical, but we must do it on an informed basis and take people with us." | |
| The financial cost has been estimated at more than £1bn a year. | The financial cost has been estimated at more than £1bn a year. |
| SHAAP, which was set up by the Scottish Medical Royal Colleges and funded by the Scottish Executive, aims to promote wider awareness and understanding of the problems and identify solutions. | SHAAP, which was set up by the Scottish Medical Royal Colleges and funded by the Scottish Executive, aims to promote wider awareness and understanding of the problems and identify solutions. |
| It will look at the possibility of more screening by GPs and hospitals, random breath testing and lowering legal limits for drink-driving. | It will look at the possibility of more screening by GPs and hospitals, random breath testing and lowering legal limits for drink-driving. |
| It will also examine the effect on unborn babies and the impact of alcohol taxation and sponsorship. | It will also examine the effect on unborn babies and the impact of alcohol taxation and sponsorship. |
| Health campaigns have highlighted the dangers of drinking | |
| SHAAP's chairman, Dr Bruce Ritson, said: "Alcohol misuse has now reached epidemic proportions in Scotland and forms one of the greatest public health challenges of our time. | |
| "In recent years, rates of alcohol-related hospital admissions, liver failure and premature deaths in Scotland have increased dramatically and excessive alcohol consumption has all too often been perceived to be nothing more than harmless over-indulgence, rather than being recognised for its harmful effects on health." | "In recent years, rates of alcohol-related hospital admissions, liver failure and premature deaths in Scotland have increased dramatically and excessive alcohol consumption has all too often been perceived to be nothing more than harmless over-indulgence, rather than being recognised for its harmful effects on health." |
| The group will gather and review all the evidence on alcohol-related health problems and try to influence policy, clinical practice and public behaviour. | The group will gather and review all the evidence on alcohol-related health problems and try to influence policy, clinical practice and public behaviour. |
| Jack Law, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, said: "We hope that SHAAP can influence policy, clinical practice and public behaviour to start reversing the trend, and ensure far fewer people's lives are damaged by or lost to alcohol." | Jack Law, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, said: "We hope that SHAAP can influence policy, clinical practice and public behaviour to start reversing the trend, and ensure far fewer people's lives are damaged by or lost to alcohol." |
| Professor Neil Douglas, president of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, claimed alcohol misuse in Scotland had reached crisis point. | Professor Neil Douglas, president of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, claimed alcohol misuse in Scotland had reached crisis point. |
| "Excessive drinking has increasingly become the norm. It is now our national shame," he said. | "Excessive drinking has increasingly become the norm. It is now our national shame," he said. |