A leading expert on alcohol abuse in Tayside has backed the intentions of Scotland’s health minister to tackle the nation’s relationship with the bottle.
Eric Knox, director of the Tayside Council on Alcohol (TCA), has given his full support to the words of Nicola Sturgeon after she restated her desire to introduce a minimum price on a unit of alcohol.
Writing in Wednesday’s Courier, Ms Sturgeon said she found it ”deeply disappointing” that the previous Alcohol Act of 2010 was not as strong as it may have been after opposition parties failed to back the minimum price plan.
However, stating her desire to rectify Scotland’s self-destructive attitude towards drink, the health minister says the Scottish Government is ready to take action.
Offering his backing, Mr Knox believes that a strong message needs to be sent out to change public attitudes towards alcohol.
Asked if he would back the introduction of minimum pricing on a unit of alcohol, he said: ”Absolutely 100%. It’s about sending down a message from the top.
”Everyone should realise that there are many problems which relate to our culture of drinking and we need to start tackling these issues. If you can reduce the availability of alcohol to people then it may make them think twice about drinking.”
Tayside Council on Alcohol assists up to 700 people across the region every year to deal with alcohol misuse. As well as helping those who abuse alcohol, services are also available to those who are affected by others who drink too much.