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1. Tackling alcohol problems
Introduction
1.1 The Plan for Action on Alcohol Problems (2002) heralded a new, integrated approach to reducing alcohol-related harm in Scotland. Whilst acknowledging the positive aspects of alcohol, the plan set out to tackle the harmful effects of problem drinking in our society with a particular focus on reducing excessive and harmful drinking by children and young people. Alcohol problems can be both immediate, for example acute intoxication, injuries, assault or violence that can be associated with a single bout of excessive drinking, or longer term, such as alcoholic liver disease or mental health problems associated with the cumulative effects of excessive consumption including alcohol-related brain damage, depression, anxiety, suicide, risk-taking behaviours, personality disorders and schizophrenia.
Progress since 2002
1.2 The Executive and partner organisations have taken forward a significant programme of change since the plan was published. The Scottish Parliament has approved a new Licensing Bill which will update our outdated licensing laws, implemented national communications campaigns to start to change attitudes to excessive drinking, established a National Alcohol Information Resource, developed Health Technology Board for Scotland ( HTBS) and SIGN guidelines and published a support and treatment services framework to assist local service planners. Local ADATs have identified and implemented actions to help address local priorities and we have allocated £13 million over 2005/06 and 2006/07 to support local alcohol treatment, support and prevention activities. The legislation introduced on smoke free public places now also offers the opportunity to further promote environments that encourage responsible drinking.
Structure and approach
1.3 This update retains the broad structure of the original plan although it does not include specific actions under the heading of culture change. This reflects the belief that real culture change requires integrated and sustained action across all pillars of the plan: protection and controls, prevention and education, and the provision of services.
1.4 The updated plan provides an overview of the key actions that will be taken to tackle alcohol problems over the next three years. It builds on the analysis and actions of the original Plan for Action; links in to the partnership agreement with the alcohol industry; and also incorporates the Partnership Agreement commitments - the document setting out the principles that guide the current Scottish Labour and Liberal Democratic coalition government in developing and implementing policies for Scotland - to support the establishment of Youth CAFEs, review the impact of alcohol problems across Scotland and double the resources allocated to alcohol treatment and rehabilitation. In so doing, it offers a comprehensive range of actions aimed at improving Scotland's health by changing drinking cultures and reducing alcohol-related harm. It will be supported by a detailed delivery plan which will enable Scottish Ministers and the Scottish Ministerial Advisory Committee on Alcohol Problems ( SMACAP) to monitor progress, ensure delivery of each of the high level actions and review their impact and effectiveness.
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