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CASE STUDY

Michael is a 37 year-old solicitor from Glasgow. He thinks Scotland's relationship with alcohol needs to be put under the spotlight:

"I've travelled around the world and everywhere you go Scots are welcomed with open arms. I just think we have this real reputation as being fun loving and sociable, it seems to follow us everywhere.

But we certainly do have a reputation of being hard drinking, people seem to expect you to carry a flask of whisky everywhere you go. I did used to get annoyed sometimes with the reputation us Scots have with being 'loveable' drunks. It gets a bit embarrassing sometimes doesn't it?"

Have your say in the Government's
Alcohol Consultation?

The Scottish Government is conducting a Consultation on Alcohol Misuse in Scotland and would like to hear your views. If you'd like to have your say in the new plan of action, details on how to take part can be found on the Scottish Government website.

Closing date for responses is September 9, 2008.

Scotland. Are we all drinking too much?

Scotland enjoys a worldwide reputation as a friendly, hospitable and social nation. Renowned for its stunning landscapes and vibrant cities, its proud culture and passionate identity, Scotland the 'brand' is well known and understood across the globe. And this is something we should feel immensely proud of. From kilts, tam-o-shanters and tartan to haggis, whisky and the inevitable deep fried mars bar, we are a country that's proud of its history, enjoying its present and ready for the challenge of what lies ahead.

Hampered ambition

But is Scotland's promise and ambition for the future being hampered by our relationship with alcohol? Is our reputation as a social nation hiding the fact that our drinking is damaging Scotland?

Well above the average

There's certainly no doubt that we're drinking more than we used to. Every year for the past three years, enough alcohol was sold in Scotland to enable every adult man and woman in the country to drink more than 21 units (the recommended limit for men) every week of the year. Considering that many people don't drink or drink very little, some people must be drinking a lot more than that!

"We now have one of the fastest growing chronic liver disease and cirrhosis rates in the world."

In fact, experts estimate that up to 50% of men and 30% of women are drinking more than the sensible drinking guidelines. Alcohol related death rates in Scotland have more than doubled in 15 years and we now have one of the fastest growing chronic liver disease and cirrhosis rates in the world.

The stresses and pressures of modern life and busy social lives mean that many of us are drinking at levels that are putting us at risk without even realising it.

Money down the drain

And it's not just our health we're harming, it's also our wealth. Alcohol misuse is acting as a brake on Scotland's economic growth, costing us an estimated £2.25 billion each year. That's £500 per year for every adult in Scotland. This includes costs to the health service and other public services such as the police and fire service. In 2007, 45% of prisoners in Scotland said they were drunk at the time of offence. Alcohol-related violence and anti-social behaviour affects everyone, across all spectrums of society.

Did you know?

Enough alcohol is sold in Scotland to enable every adult man and woman in the country to drink more than 21 units every week of the year.
Up to 50% of men and 30% of women are drinking more than sensible drinking guidelines. Alcohol related death rates in Scotland have more than doubled in 15 years.
Scotland has one of the fastest growing chronic liver disease and cirrhosis rates in the world.
Alcohol misuse costs every adult in Scotland £500 per year.

THE DEBATE