Over 21 scheme improves behaviour
A pilot scheme restricting alcohol off-sales to those over 21 has had a dramatic impact on anti-social behaviour, according to the Scottish Government. The pilot was carried out with a view to implementing the policy countrywide as part of Scotlands alcohol strategy.
Calls to police reporting anti-social activity have fallen by 40 per cent since the introduction of the Stop the supply project in the Central Scotland police force areas of Larbert and Stenhousemuir in April, says the government. Serious assaults have fallen by 60 per cent, minor assaults by 30 per cent and breaches of the peace by 40 per cent. Schemes in Armadale, West Lothian and Cupar, Fife have also seen significant drops in calls and offences, it says. The dramatic results from Stop the supply show what can be achieved when communities take bold steps to tackle alcohol misuse among young people,said public health minister Shona Robinson.
While the majority of our young people are responsible and dont misuse alcohol, there is a significant minority who cause a disproportionate amount of crime and anti-social behaviour, often under the influence of alcohol. We cannot ignore that.
The Scottish Government has spent the last few months consulting on our radical plans to tackle alcohol misuse, which include a minimum price for a unit of alcohol, raising the off-sales purchase age to 21, ending irresponsible promotions and a social responsibility fee for some retailers,she continued. Taken together, we believe these measures could bring about the long-term cultural shift needed to rebalance Scotlands relationship with alcohol.Perhaps predictably the proposals have been attacked by alcohol industry body the Portman Group. The myth is that levels of drinking and alcohol misuse are worse in Scotland than elsewhere in the UK,said chief executive David Poley
. In reality, Scots drink less than people in the rest of Britain and are no more likely to be drinking harmfully. Problems of alcohol misuse in Scotland will not be solved by turning alcohol into a social taboo and demonising drink. There is a considerable risk that this would actually increase the appeal of alcohol to young people in particular.
It is illegal for under-18s to buy alcohol. A sustained programme of enforcement activity will tackle this problem. It makes far more sense to enforce the current law robustly than to raise the legal purchase age.