Quality Alcohol Treatment and Support (QATS)
The Quality Alcohol Treatment and Support report is targeted towards Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs), their partners and commissioned specialist alcohol treatment and support services. Its focus is on tier 3 and 4 alcohol treatment and support services, advocating for a person-centred, recovery-focused approach, ensuring the unique needs of individuals are identified and met. It reinforces ongoing work around the embedding of Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs), and reflects the Quality Ambitions entrenched in the Healthcare Quality Strategy (2010).
The report sets out 14 recommendations to be delivered by Scottish Government, ADPs and their partners, and specialist alcohol treatment services.
The Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) for the report is also available.
Alcohol and Drug Workforce Statement
The Alcohol and Drug Workforce Statement is addressed to anyone who has a role in improving outcomes for an individual, families or communities experiencing problematic drug and alcohol use. The purpose of the statement is to;
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set out why action is required to develop the alcohol and drug workforce and to outline the important roles and contributions of those directly involved in workforce development
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acknowledge the need for strategic leadership and express the responsibilities of decision makers at national and local level; and
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set out learning priorities for all levels of the drug and alcohol workforce.
The Scottish Government will be developing a programme of further engagement with stakeholders to progress workforce development into the New Year (2011).
Research
The Scottish Government is developing interventions which are informed by a strong evidence base. The Alcohol Evidence Group (AEG) was established in 2006 to oversee the development of a co-ordinated alcohol evidence base in which existing research (from Scotland, the rest of the UK and internationally) is consolidated and gaps identified.
The Scottish Alcohol Research Framework was compiled by Scottish Government and NHS Health Scotland with advice from the AEG. The framework sets out existing (or recently completed) and planned work, together with priority areas for new research should budgets allow. The research identified in the framework is intended to inform and evaluate policy developments.
Alcohol Information Scotland provides a wide range of information on alcohol for Scotland. This includes statistics, research, publications, key policy documents and practice guidelines as well as links to useful websites. Up to date news is reported through daily media monitoring.
Recent key publications
- Model-Based Appraisal of Alcohol Minimum Pricing and Off-license Trade Discount Bans In Scotland (v2) :- Second Update A second update based on newly available data of the Model-based appraisal of alcohol minimum pricing and off-licensed trade discount bans in Scotland using the Sheffield alcohol policy model (v2).
- Regulatory Impact Assessment for Alcohol (Minimum Pricing) (Scotland) Bill: This document provides a detailed and systematic appraisal of the potential impacts of the proposed Bill.
- Scottish Government Alcohol Industry Partnership (SGAIP) report 2009-2010 - Report on the 2009-2010 activity of the joint work between the Scottish Government and the alcohol drinks industry, working together towards the shared aim of promoting responsible drinking, retailing, advertising and promotion to reduce alcohol related harm in Scotland.
- Affordability of alcohol, United Kingdom 1988-2009: Information on the affordability of alcohol in the on and off-trade and across product types in the United Kingdom, 1988-2009.
- Analysis of alcohol sales data, 2005-2009 (NHS Health Scotland) Report and data on trends in per capita sales of alcohol in Scotland, England & Wales from 2005 to 2009. Data on alcohol sales by liquor category, by trade sector, and the price of alcohol per unit are also provided.
- Scottish Government Response to the Scottish Youth Commission on Alcohol recommendations with Covering Letter
- The Societal Cost of Alcohol Misuse in Scotland for 2007: This report sets out the cost to Scotland's economy and society from alcohol misuse. A summary of the Research Findings is also available.
- Regulatory Impact Assessment For Alcohol Etc. (Scotland) Bill: This document provides a detailed and systematic appraisal of the potential impacts of the proposed Bill.
- Model-Based Appraisal of Alcohol Minimum Pricing and Off-Licensed Trade Discount Bans in Scotland: A Scottish adaptation of the Sheffield Alcohol Policy Model version 2 - a report on the findings of the University of Sheffield's study of how minimum pricing for alcohol and a ban on irresponsible promotions can limit the damage of Scotland's alcohol misuse problems.
- Alcohol Statistics Scotland 2009 - a biennial publication presents the latest available information from a range of national data sources relating to alcohol. The bulletin covers four main sections: The Alcohol market, Alcohol consumption, Alcohol and Health Harm and Alcohol and Social Harm.
- Scottish Social Attitudes Survey 2007: Something to be ashamed of or part of our way of life? Attitudes towards alcohol in Scotland - The report contains findings from a module of questions in the Scottish Social Attitudes Survey 2007, and examines public attitudes towards drinking and the role of alcohol in Scottish culture.
- Alcohol and Drug Delivery Reform Group - Final Report (Scottish Government) the final recommendations of the Delivery Reform Group group set up in January 2008 to make proposals on future local partnership arrangements to tackle alcohol and drugs misuse.
- How much are people in Scotland really drinking? A review of data from Scotland's routine national surveys (NHS Health Scotland). This review compares survey estimates with sales data and suggests that people in Scotland may be drinking twice as much as surveys have previously reported
- Revised Alcohol Consumption Estimates from the 2003 Scottish Health Survey (Scottish Government) provides updated Scottish Health Survey 2003 alcohol consumption estimates
- Snapshots of drinking: A rapid review of drinking cultures and influencing factors: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom and Scotland (NHS Health Scotland) assess different drinking patterns and cultures in Europe and elsewhere
- Drinking in Scotland: Qualitative Insights into Influences, Attitudes and Behaviours (NHS Health Scotland) examines factors effecting attitudes to alcohol and influences on consumption patterns and levels
- 'Changing Scotland's Relationship with Alcohol' - the Scottish Government's proposal for tackling alcohol misuse in Scotland was launched in June 2008. A consultation ran from June until September 9, 2008.
It gave people the opportunity to shape future policy on alcohol in Scotland. Read the responses to the consultation and an analysis of the responses.
Corporate Responsibility and Workplace Alcohol Policies
Employers are responsible for the safety and well-being of their workforce. Many choose to develop stated policies on alcohol use and misuse.
Corporate Responsibility
Employers are responsible for the welfare of their employees while at work. This includes protecting them from accidents caused by the use of alcohol in the workplace.
Other rules also apply, for example drinking and driving while over the limit.
Employment laws also demand that alcohol dependency ('alcoholism') is treated like any other 'sickness' and protect workers from summary dismissal if they're found to have a problem with drink.
Workplace Alcohol Policies
A growing number of companies now have stated policies on alcohol. Having clear rules on what should happen if someone is found to have a problem with alcohol benefits both employers and employees.
The Scottish Government & Alcohol Industry Partnership, in conjunction with the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives, has developed this model alcohol policy. It takes best practice from a wide variety of organisations to offer a flexible workplace alcohol policy that any organisation, regardless of size or nature of business can adapt to suit their own needs. It is suitable both for companies who have no alcohol policy or those who want to update and improve their current one. It is supported by Alcohol Focus Scotland, the STUC and CBI.
Download the policy
For free advice and information on developing your own policy for your workplace or adapting the model policy above to comply with the Healthy Working Lives Award, contact Healthy Working Lives.
Alcohol and Drug Partnership Bulletins