This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
New funding for alcohol teams
04/03/2004
An £8 million boost to help people with alcohol problems was announced today.
The money, £3 million in 2004/05 and £5 million in 2005/06, will go to Alcohol Action Teams in every Health Board area fulfillings a Partnership Agreement pledge to increase the level of resources for alcohol treatment and rehabilitation services.
Deputy Health Minister Tom McCabe also launched Alcohol Information Scotland, the first dedicated website for alcohol information in Scotland.
The site will provide instant access to reliable statistics and information on alcohol misuse for those involved in tackling the problem.
Mr McCabe said:
"Drinking in moderation is compatible with a healthy lifestyle and most people are able to enjoy a drink without any problems.
"However, there is no doubt that alcohol abuse is a major issue, costing Scotland at least £1 billion a year - around £100 million to the NHS alone - and has a major impact on public safety and crime, as well as affecting people's daily lives.
"We asked local Alcohol Action Teams (AATs) to draw up action plans, identifying areas of need and this substantial new investment will help to support the implementation of these plans. These specific resources are in addition to the significant increases already announced to NHS Boards and local authorities general allocations.
"The Executive launched its Plan for Action on alcohol problems in 2002, which sets out a range of measures to reduce alcohol related harm in Scotland and action is already being taken forward.
"We have also launched a national advertising campaign aimed at reducing binge drinking and a guide for parents on how to discuss alcohol with their teenage children.
"The Executive takes the problem very seriously and this significant new investment should go some way towards meeting the aims of the Plan for Action."
"In addition to the normal NHS performance arrangements, Boards and other Alcohol Action Team partners, will be held accountable for the use of the additional funding through AAT reporting arrangements. The release of new funding is conditional on AATs having agreed outcome expectations and systems in place to measure national indicators."
Talking about the new website, Mr McCabe said:
"This website will be a valuable resource for local Alcohol Action Teams, NHS boards and other organisations involved in tackling alcohol problems across Scotland.
"For the first time, teams will be able to access up-to-date statistical data, as well as key policy at a Scottish, UK and European level and other related information. I am sure AATs and others will put it to good use."
The Board by Board allocation is as follows:
2004/05 2005/06
Argyll and Clyde 277,000 462,000
Ayrshire and Arran 213,000 355,000
Borders 85,000 141,000
Dumfries & Galloway 108,000 180,000
Fife 199,000 332,000
Forth Valley 148,000 247,000
Grampian 212,000 354,000
Greater Glasgow 667,000 1,111,000
Highland 140,000 234,000
Lanarkshire 246,000 409,000
Lothian 336,000 560,000
Orkney 67,000 111,000
Tayside 168,000 280,000
Shetland 67,000 111,000
Western Isles 67,000 111,000
Funding has been distributed on the following basis:
- 70 per cent distributed using the Arbuthnott formula, adjusted using data on problematic alcohol consumption from the Scottish Health Survey to improve its applicability
- 30 per cent distributed equally between the 15 Boards to provide a reasonable minimum level of funding to all areas
urrent national targets are to:
- reduce men exceeding weekly limit (21 units) from 33 per cent to 31 per cent between 1995 and 2005, and to 29 per cent by 2010
- reduce women exceeding weekly limit (14 units) from 13 per cent to 12 per cent between 1995 and 2005 and to 11 per cent by 2010
- reduce level and frequency of drinking of 12-15 year olds from 20 per cent to 18 per cent between 1995 and 2005 and to 16 per cent by 2010
Progress towards these targets is measured by the Scottish Health Survey and the Scottish Schools Adolescent Lifestyle and Substance Use Survey.
AAT reporting arrangements for 2004/05 are currently being finalised but
will require evidence that effective monitoring procedures are in place, and include information about the following indicators:
- - the number of people actively managed by alcohol support and treatment services
- - the number of dedicated prevention services which are funded by ADAT partners