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1 abcdefghijklmnopqrstu Changing Scotland s Relationship with Alcohol : A Framework for Action Progress Report February 2012

2 Contents 1. Introduction 2. Reduced Consumption 3. Supporting Families and Communities 4. Positive Attitudes, Positive Choices 5. Improved Support and Treatment 6. Future Programme of Work

3 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 It is becoming increasingly evident that as a nation our relationship with alcohol has become unbalanced. Alcohol sales data 1 suggests enough alcohol was sold for every adult in Scotland to exceed weekly recommended limits for men each and every week since at least In 2010, 23% more alcohol was sold per adult in Scotland than in England & Wales, the widest gap to date The impact of this excessive consumption is estimated to cost Scots 3.6 billion each year 3, that s equivalent to an incredible 900 for each and every adult in Scotland. Hospital discharges have quadrupled since the early 1980s and deaths directly related to alcohol misuse doubled. 4 The impact on crime and anti-social behaviour is equally stark, with statistics showing that 50% of prisoners (including 77% of young offenders) were drunk at the time of their offence Not only does alcohol misuse burden our health service and police, it also has a terrible knock-on effect on our economic potential and on the families devastated by death and illness caused by alcohol. 1.4 It is clear the challenges posed by Scotland s problem with alcohol are still enormous and very real and the scale of the problems we face requires leadership and an innovative approach if we are to rebalance Scotland s relationship with alcohol. 1.5 Changing Scotland s Relationship with Alcohol: A Framework for Action 6, published in March 2009 was the first step in this journey, backed up with a record investment of over 155 million since The actions set out in the Framework reflect the need for a whole population approach to tackling alcohol misuse. An approach which recognises that as a country we need to drink less as well as to drink more responsibly - because the more we drink, the greater the damage. 1.6 The actions within this integrated alcohol framework fall into 4 broad headings: reducing consumption; creating positive attitudes & choices; supporting families & communities; and providing effective support & treatment. Some measures are designed to effect change in the short term while others focus on creating longer term cultural change. In some instances, legislative change is being used as a driver, including, for example, the Alcohol (Minimum Pricing) (Scotland) Bill which aimed at reducing consumption through tacking affordability. 1.7 We ve made considerable progress on implementing key aspects of the Alcohol Framework, including: We have made a record investment in tackling alcohol misuse of over 155 million since The bulk of this funding, 134 million, has gone directly to NHS Boards for use in line with local priorities identified by Alcohol and Drug Partnerships. Investment in local 1 Monitoring and Evaluating Scotland s Alcohol Strategy (MESAS) - An update of alcohol sales and price band analyses, August Scottish Alcohol Sales Data for , August The Societal Cost of Alcohol Misuse in Scotland for 2007, Scottish Government, January Monitoring and Evaluating Scotland s Alcohol Strategy. Setting the Scene: Theory of change and baseline picture, NHS Health Scotland, March th Prisoner Survey 2009, Scottish Prison Service, 2009; Prisoner Survey 2009 Young Offenders, Scottish Prison Service, Changing Scotland's Relationship with Alcohol: A Framework for Action, Scottish Government, March

4 prevention and treatment services has been increased this year ( ), with a total of 37 million going to local areas (up from 36m in ). The commencement of the Alcohol etc. (Scotland) Act on 1 October 2011, which contains measures such as banning quantity discounts and restricting alcohol promotions in off-sales premises. It also paves the way for the introduction of a social responsibility levy to ensure those who profit from the sale of alcohol also put something back into the community. NHS Scotland has delivered, over 174,000 alcohol brief interventions to help individuals who have been endangering their health by drinking above sensible limits to cut down. In collaboration with CoSLA, we have reformed the way in which local areas plan and deliver services. Thirty Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs) have been established, bringing together local partners which include: health boards, local authorities, police and voluntary agencies, who are anchored in Community Planning Partnerships. These ADPs are responsible for developing local strategies and commissioning services which meet the needs of local people. We established a Youth Commission on Alcohol 8, facilitated by Young Scot. Their findings have helped inform our policy and practice, for example in relation to advertising and our work on essential services for those with alcohol problems, as well as having wider implications for the future involvement of young people in decision-making at both national and local level. Refreshed advice for parents and carers 9 was published in January This provides information and supports parents / carers to talk to young people about the effects of alcohol consumption. It also encourages adults to reflect on their own consumption. We have continued to work with industry partners on joint initiatives to promote responsible drinking such as AAW and launched a new Scottish Government alcohol health behaviour change campaign, targeting women, in January 2011 to encourage people to make positive informed choices about their alcohol consumption. We have reinvested just under 44 million since 2007, seized from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act, to provide diversionary and participatory activities for over 600,000 young people across Scottish communities, under our CashBack for Communities scheme. We have published research on approaches for managing drunk and incapable people. ADPs have been asked to ensure there are clear and effective partnership-based strategies in place at local level. We set a priority work programme for Children Affected by Parental Substance Misuse (CAPSM) 10. This includes a focus on developing the local Child Protection Committee (CPC) and Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP) relationship and on early intervention activity and also on developing our CAPSM prevalence (or numbers of children potentially affected by their parents substance misuse) figures. 7 Alcohol Etc. (Scotland) Act Youth Commission on Alcohol Report 9 You, Your Child and Alcohol, January CAPSM - Children Affected by Parental Substance Misuse 2

5 The final report and recommendations (Quality Alcohol Treatment and Support 11 ) from the Scottish Ministerial Advisory Committee on Alcohol Problems (SMACAP) Essential Services Working Group were published in March 2011 and work is now underway to develop an implementation plan for this work which, when embedded in practice, will help to better identify and respond to the needs of those affected by problematic alcohol use. Although not a specific commitment within the Alcohol Framework, the HEAT (A11) drug treatment waiting times target was expanded to incorporate alcohol. By March 2013, 90% of clients will wait no longer than 3 weeks from referral received to appropriate drug or alcohol treatment that supports their recovery. 1.8 Over and above this, of course, we introduced the Alcohol (Minimum Pricing) (Scotland) Bill on 31 October Addressing price is an important element of any longterm strategy to tackle alcohol misuse. The Scottish Government continues to believe that a minimum price per unit of alcohol would be the most effective and efficient way of doing this. We have consistently made clear minimum pricing alone will not change Scotland s relationship with alcohol. It is, however, an important element of the comprehensive strategic approach encompassed in the Framework for Action. We are confident that taken together, the 40 plus measures being pursued under the Framework will reduce alcoholrelated harm and contribute to a successful, flourishing Scotland. 1.9 This report outlines the progress we have made against each of these measures as we take action to tackle a major challenge affecting Scottish society through legislative change, improved treatment and support services, and by building an environment that supports cultural change in the longer term. 11 Scottish Ministerial Advisory Committee on Alcohol Problems (SMACAP) Essential Services Working Group: Quality Alcohol Treatment and Support (QATS), March Alcohol (Minimum Pricing) (Scotland) Bill 3

6 2. REDUCED CONSUMPTION ISSUE: We know that consumption is closely linked to harm - the more we drink the greater the risk of harm. Over the last 50 years consumption has significantly increased in Scotland and so has alcohol-related harm. This is, at least in part, being driven by the increased availability and affordability of alcohol in the off-trade. Off-trade sales increased by 52% between 1994 and 2010, compared to a fall of 29% in the on-trade. It is now estimated that around two-thirds of alcohol sold in Scotland is now sold through the off-trade. Alcohol is now 44% more affordable than it was in and alcohol sales data suggests enough alcohol was sold for every adult in Scotland to exceed weekly recommended limits for men each and every week since at least In 2010, 23% more alcohol was sold per adult in Scotland than in England & Wales, the widest gap to date. 14 Action 1 We will draft regulations to modify Schedules 3 and 4 under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 to: put an end to off-sales premises supplying alcohol free of charge on the purchase of one or more of the product, or of any other product, whether alcohol or not; put an end to off-sales premises supplying alcohol at a reduced price on the purchase of one or more of the product, or of any other product, whether alcohol or not; prevent the sale of alcohol as a loss leader. We will consult with the Scottish Government and Alcohol Industry Partnership and other key stakeholders on a regulatory impact assessment before laying these regulations in Parliament. Aim: To protect and improve public health by reducing alcohol consumption through banning quantity discount promotions which encourage customers to buy more alcohol. Progress: Irresponsible promotions in off-sales are limited by the Alcohol etc. (Scotland) Act 2010 which is a significant step in the battle against Scotland s unhealthy relationship with alcohol. The Act bans promotions such as: buy one get one free (a 50% discount for bulk buying) 3 for the price of two (a 33% discount for bulk buying) 5 for 4, cheapest free 3 bottles of wine for 10 (where if purchased separately the aggregate price for the 3 bottles would be, for example, 15) 13 Statistics on Alcohol: England, 2011, The Health and Social Care Information Centre, Scottish Alcohol Sales Data for , August

7 Action 2: We will pursue the introduction of a minimum price per unit of alcohol as a mandatory condition of Premises Licence and Occasional Licences granted under the Licensing (Scotland) Act We will work with economists and researchers to consider the modelling work around specific minimum prices per unit of alcohol. We will continue to discuss with the UK Government arrangements for controlling pricing and promotions of alcohol bought remotely and delivered to Scotland from England and Wales or beyond. Aim: A minimum price per unit of alcohol will help reduce alcohol consumption in Scotland, in particular reducing the consumption of alcohol by harmful drinkers, and reduce the impact that alcohol misuse and overconsumption has on public health, crime, public services, productivity, and the economy as a whole. Progress: The Alcohol (Minimum Pricing) (Scotland) Bill was introduced to Parliament on 31 October We commissioned the University of Sheffield to update their alcohol pricing model with the latest Scottish data in October This was published on 31 January and the findings form an important part in demonstrating the potential benefits of introducing minimum pricing. Action 3 We will regulate to make it a condition of a premises licence or occasional licence that wine sold by the glass for consumption on the premises must be available as a 125ml measure. We urge the UK to change its legislation to extend 25ml and 35ml measures to all spirits and to permit both measures to be served on the same premises, and, if and when the law is changed, we would intend to make it a mandatory condition that 25ml measures be available and offered as the default measure. Aim: To improve consumer choice and ensure that all on-trade premises make available small measures of wine and spirits. Progress: We have worked to influence UK Government policy in this area, without conceding our position on competence, instead inviting the UK Government to act on their view that this is a reserved matter. New wine and spirit measure provisions for England and Wales came into effect in 1 October 2010, as the second part of their mandatory code - Licensing Act 2003 (Mandatory Licensing Conditions) Order This brought in the requirement for premises to make available rum, vodka or whisky in a 25ml or 35ml measure and to make still wine available in a 125ml serving and placed a duty on the seller to make the customer aware of the availability of this measure. In light of this we are continuing to pursue with the UK Government how they intend to deliver these requirements for Scotland The Licensing Act 2003 (Mandatory Licensing Conditions) Order

8 3. SUPPORTING FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES ISSUE: We need to protect our children and young people from the harm caused by alcohol misuse by themselves and others and to support them to make positive choices. At the same time we need to reduce the impact of alcohol related crime and disorder on our communities, making them safer and stronger. The Scottish Schools Adolescent Lifestyle and Substance Use Survey 17, published on 20 th December 2011 shows that 44% of 13 year olds and 77% of 15 year olds have ever had an alcoholic drink. Young people remain at greater risk from alcohol related harm and associated risk taking behaviours and if we are to be successful in supporting our young people to make positive decisions we must create the right environment for them to do so by rebalancing Scotland s relationship with alcohol. We all know that parental substance misuse blights too many of our children and young people s lives. Around 65,000 children under 16 are estimated to be affected by parental alcohol misuse. They are among the most vulnerable in society and require particular care and support and tackling this is a key priority for the Scottish Government. Action 4 Our Youth Commission will explore the issues faced by young people in relation to misuse of alcohol beginning this spring and will report back with advice on actions which might be taken to address the issues they identify. Aim: All too often young people are only seen as part of the problem when it comes to alcohol misuse. However, we recognise that the majority of young people do not misuse alcohol and that they must be part of the solution in addressing this important issue. That is why we asked Young Scot to set up the Youth Commission on Alcohol to give young people a voice on this important issue. Progress: In recognition of the important role young people have in finding solutions to tackling alcohol misuse, Shona Robison, Minister for Public Health & Sport asked Young Scot to set up a Youth Commission on Alcohol (YCA) and provided funding of 150,000 to facilitate this work. The YCA undertook a year long piece of work commencing in April 2009 and presented its report and recommendations to the Minister at a launch event on 16 March The Minister for Public Health issued her formal response on 27 August The YCA reviewed a broad range of literature, met with relevant individuals & organisations and received over 3000 consultation responses. The Commission also undertook study visits to Brussels and Estonia. The YCA s report 18 contained 38 recommendations for Scottish Government and partners at all levels and their findings have helped inform our policy and practice, for example in relation to advertising and our work on essential services for those with alcohol problems, as well as having wider implications for the future involvement of young people in decisionmaking at both national and local level. 17 SALSUS Youth Commission on Alcohol Report, March

9 The YCA was a unique model of youth engagement and Young Scot has received interest about this model within and outwith Scotland. At the end of 2010, Young Scot held a Building the Bridge event to share learning about co-producing policy with young people gained from the Youth Commission. The work of the Commission reminds us that young people do not exist in isolation from the rest of the society. In order to address alcohol misuse and harm amongst young people we must also look at what is happening around them. Action 5 Over the course of the next year we will take forward work to review current advice to parents and carers around alcohol and associated issues in the context of this early years framework, with input from the Youth Commission on Alcohol and Young People and other key stakeholders. Aim: To provide parents and carers with information and help to talk to young people about alcohol and highlight the importance of reflecting on the example they are setting through their own relationship with alcohol. Progress: We published a refreshed booklet for parents and carers on young people and alcohol in February which informs, supports and encourages parents and carers to talk with their children about alcohol and also encourages parents and carer to reflect on their own consumption. This work has been informed by engagement with NHS Health Scotland, the then Scottish Association of Alcohol and Drug Action Teams, Alcohol Focus Scotland, CoSLA, ACPOS and a range of children s and parenting charities. The views of parents were also sought in a number of focus groups. The final booklets were also tested with parents and were well received. The booklets were published and distributed in January and February 2011 through Schools (P6-S2), NHS Boards, Libraries, GP surgeries, Pharmacies, Spar stores, Best One stores, Key stores and a range of charities. Action 6 We will legislate to: place a duty on Licensing Boards to consider raising the minimum age for off-sales purchases within their area, or part of their area, to 21 when they are reviewing their licensing policy statements; enable Licensing Boards to apply such a condition without requiring a hearing in respect of every premise concerned; give the Chief Constable and the local Licensing Forum powers to request that the Licensing Board consider the matter of an age restriction at any time. Aim: Reduce incidence of underage proxy sales and where young people consume alcohol, ensure that this is done within the boundaries of the controlled on-sale environment. Progress: Measures placing a duty on local Licensing Boards to undertake a detrimental impact assessment on the sale of alcohol to under 21s as part of their regular review of policy statements at least every 3 years and to consider raising the off-sales age to 21 in all 19 You, Your Child and Alcohol, February

10 or part of their areas where appropriate were included in the Alcohol etc. (Scotland) Bill but did not attract parliamentary support. The Act, however, does include a requirement that each licensed premises (both on and off sales) must have a policy whereby anyone who appears to be under 25 years of age will be asked to prove they are at least 18 years old. These rules have been introduced following a successful trial, to help keep retailers within the law by making it tougher for underage youngsters to buy alcohol. Action 7 We will establish a legislative power to apply a Social Responsibility Fee. We will establish in 2009 mechanisms to allow key stakeholders to assist us in developing the detail of the Social Responsibility Fee. Aim: To ensure that those who profit from the sale of alcohol share some of the costs associated with its misuse. Progress: Powers for a Social Responsibility Levy were included in the Alcohol etc. (Scotland) Act The introduction of a social responsibility levy, at a time when the economic circumstances are right, will ensure those who profit from the sale of alcohol also put something back into the community. Action 8 We are taking forward plans to arrange a survey of the incidence of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in Scotland (FASD). We have seconded fixed term project support to coordinate this work, working in collaboration with the academic sector, health professionals and other key stakeholders. We will hold a stakeholder conference in the spring to take this forward jointly with all key interests. Aim: The survey will provide information on the prevalence of FASD in Scotland to help prevent alcohol exposed pregnancies in Scotland through increased awareness and understanding of FSAD. In addition, the findings from the survey will help inform future work which will include: The provision of funding for a Scotland wide FAS research programme to begin to estimate the size of the problem in Scotland; Raising public awareness of FAS/D; Training and support to communities and service providers; Agreement and guidance across Scotland on the diagnosis of FAS/D; Development of a multidisciplinary diagnostic and management service for FAS/D once diagnosis is made; and Development of routine data collection systems for FAS/D. Progress: The Scottish Government undertook scoping work on FASD in 2009 and a team is now in place within the Health and Social Care Directorates Child and Maternal Health Division to oversee the development of policies on FAS/D issues in Scotland in partnership with other Scottish Government policy areas (e.g. Public Health, Alcohol Policy, Sexual Health, Early Education and Childcare, Child Protection Policy, GIRFEC) and relevant external stakeholders (e.g. Alcohol Focus Scotland, Children in Scotland, Learning and Teaching Scotland). 8

11 The team s work focuses mainly on the prevention of alcohol exposed pregnancies in Scotland and has appointed a national FASD Consultant to assist with the development of policy. In addition, the Scottish Government is supporting a Chief Scientist's Office research programme that is operated through the Scottish Paediatric Surveillance Unit (SCOTSPU). This has involved including fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) to the list of conditions that paediatricians are asked to report on a monthly basis. The data are collected, collated and analysed centrally, and possible diagnoses of FAS in children under the age of six are followed up in further detail by research team staff with the reporting clinician to ensure that it is only those children with FAS that are recorded on the system. The first year of operation of this aspect of the scheme identified 13 new cases of FAS in children under the age of six across Scotland. It is anticipated that this number will increase over time due to improved awareness and recognition of the diagnosis. Action 9 We will continue to work with our partners at national and local level to improve substance misuse education in schools. A workplan has been developed with tasks designed to lead to better partnership working, improved support for those delivering teaching, and better awareness of the available teaching resources, to be implemented before the end of Aim: To ensure that young people are educated about the risks of alcohol misuse, both to themselves and others. Progress: The work of the former Substance Misuse Education in Schools Steering Group fed into the Curriculum for Excellence Health & Wellbeing Outcomes which is now being rolled out across schools and will further support young people to make informed and responsible choices. Under Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) it is up for teachers to decide how outcomes will be delivered. To support local authorities and teachers plan, deliver and evaluate substance misuse education in schools Learning and Teaching Scotland (now part of Education Scotland) developed a continuous professional development (CPD) package. This has been delivered to 27 authorities out of 32 as CPD twilight or half day sessions on substance misuse education. Learning and Teaching Scotland also gave funding to those authorities for follow up development work. Scottish Government also supports the delivery of Choices for Life to pupils which emphasises the importance of making healthy choices regarding alcohol, drugs & smoking. From November 2011 Choices is now an online event and expanded to be suitable for pupils from Primary 7 through to Secondary 6. Action 10 We will continue to support a number of third sector organisations to provide youth work and/or diversionary opportunities. Further funding announcements will follow in Aim: Provide a wider spread of opportunities for young people to assist their learning and personal development, leading to improving their self-esteem and self-confidence. 9

12 Progress: The Scottish Government is investing in young people, providing core funding for a number of national youth work organisations that work with hard to reach and vulnerable young people, to help them build up their self-esteem and confidence and make a positive contribution to their communities. Through the successful Cashback for Communities programme, we have invested over 44 million since 2007, seized from criminals using Proceeds of Crime legislation. This provides a wide range of sporting, cultural, educational and mentoring activities for over 600,000 children and young people across Scottish communities." Projects range from diversionary work to more long-term potentially life-changing intervention projects, which aim to turn an individual s life around and provide them the opportunity of a positive destination such as employment, education, or volunteering. The Programme includes a number of partnerships with Scottish sporting, arts, business, community and youth associations. Cashback also provides much needed funding to sports and community facilities for essential refurbishment and renovation. We have aiso supported the Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland s Partnership Drugs Initiative (PDI) in making an important contribution to Scottish voluntary organisations in successfully delivering services for children, young people and families affected by drug and alcohol issues. The PDI is a strategic funding programme that seeks to build a better understanding of the positive differences that can be achieved for children and young people in families in which parents misuse drugs and/or alcohol, pre-teen children who are at higher risk of developing problem substance misuse and young people who are developing or have established problem substance misuse. This is done through targeted funding and developmental support to voluntary sector projects working in local Alcohol and Drug Partnership areas. The PDI is currently supporting 48 CAPSM related projects across 23 of the 30 Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP) areas in Scotland with just over 6,700 children and young people achieving a positive outcome in the last 3 years. During 2011/12 the Scottish Government contributed 862,000 towards the work of the PDI. Action 11 We will work through Promoting Citizenship through Football - A Government and Football Partnership to identify and take forward opportunities for joint working with football on tackling alcohol misuse. Aim: To reduce the harm to communities caused by violence, bigotry and alcohol misuse associated with football and also to maintain the good reputation of Scottish football, both in Scotland and further afield. Progress: The `Promoting Citizenship through Football A Government and Football Partnership` group provided a useful platform for joint working with the football authorities. We provided financial support for this project, including a secondee post which ended in August In addition to this work, we have also worked in partnership with all members of the recently established Joint Action Group (SFA, SPL, SFL, Rangers FC, Celtic FC and the police) to 10

13 identify and deliver on proposals to tackle violence, bigotry and alcohol misuse associated with football. With regards to measures to tackle alcohol misuse, this has included: the police adopting a more targeted approach to tackling alcohol consumption on football supporters' buses, with the intention of reducing availability of alcohol before and after matches; the establishment of an Alcohol Taskforce within Strathclyde, helping to effectively enforce licencing legislation with the aim of preventing public disorder in and around licensed premises; the JAG also recommended the Scottish Government consider amendments and extensions to licensing legislation which would give Licensing Boards and police the power to close licensed premises in certain areas to restrict the sale of alcohol around high risk matches. The Scottish Government are considering these proposals and will consult with relevant stakeholders on the work. Action 12 A Project Board is driving forward work to improve the early identification and assessment of children affected by parental substance misuse issues. It also has a focus on improving partnership working including the effective sharing of information between services. We expect to make significant progress here over the course of the next year. Aim: The key group supported by our work in this area are children who live with substance misusing parents. These children are considered among the most vulnerable in society and require particular care and support. This is largely because substance misuse is often a hidden problem, long-term in nature and can lead to sustained problems of child neglect and other forms of abuse. The aim here is to ensure that these children receive the protection that they need and that their general life chances are improved. Progress: We have been leading significant activity specifically to support these vulnerable and, at-risk, children. We recently carried out a fundamental review of child protection in Scotland. This was followed by publication of revised Child Protection Guidance in December This review was set in the wider context of our Getting it right for every child approach, which focuses all services on improving life chances for children. The revised Child Protection Guidance provides a best-practice framework to encourage collaborative working across agencies and includes a strengthened section on Children Affected by Parental Substance Misuse (CAPSM). Linked to this wider review of child protection procedures, we have also reviewed our overall CAPSM approach and - through a Short-life Ministerial Working Group - have been working with a series of external experts and leading children s charities to consider the range of activity underway to support these children. That exercise concluded in March 2011 and the findings showed a broad consensus around the activity already underway, and identified other work to further strengthen our CAPSM programme. Together with early intervention activity, this includes strengthening work further to strengthen scrutiny, guidance, performance management and risk assessment around child protection including for CAPSM. This work is set to continue over the course of the next year. 11

14 Action 13 We will continue to work through the Scottish Government-led Scottish Age-restricted Products Enforcement Working Group, which has representatives from all key interests including the licensed trade and hospitality sector, ACPOS, and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, to identify any further steps which might be taken to ensure effective compliance with and enforcement of licensing laws. Aim: A reduction in underage sales of alcohol through effective engagement with all relevant stakeholders. Progress: This action is ongoing. The Group meets 2 to 3 times a year and provides a forum for discussion on issues relating to effective compliance with, and enforcement of, Scottish licensing laws. This enables all relevant matters to be surfaced, debated and where possible resolved, by the key policy leads in Scottish Government and other relevant interests. Action 14 We will undertake a review of how test-purchasing has been implemented in order to identify any lessons which can be learned and shared. Aim: A better understanding of the barriers and facilitators to test purchasing and other enforcement approaches to underage sales of alcohol and to ensure the lessons learned are taken into account in future approaches to enforcement to reduce underage access to alcohol. Progress: An evaluation of test purchasing and other enforcement measures adopted in relation to underage sales of alcohol has been commissioned as an extension and sub-study of the three-year evaluation of the implementation of, and compliance with, the objectives of the Licensing (Scotland) Act It is anticipated the final report from the sub-study will be available in Spring Action 15 We will also work with Young Scot to further promote the Young Scot National Entitlement Card and to bolster its use and recognition as a proof of age card. Aim: Acceptability of the Young Scot NEC as proof of age. Progress: Young Scot developed and launched a new Young Scot Extra PASS card in July 2010, a service aimed at young people who have left school. This was coupled with an awareness raising campaign involving retailers, the licensed trade and enforcement agencies to increase recognition of the card as an acceptable proof of age. Work is currently underway to consider the scope to re-design of the Young Scot Extra Card to further increase its acceptability as a proof of age card. 12

15 Action 16 We will increase our funding for the Best Bar None scheme, to enable this to be extended more widely across Scotland. Aim: To raise the profile and coverage of the Best Bar None scheme nationally and to assist them in developing and spreading best practice across the on-trade in Scotland. Progress: We have provided funding to enable Best Bar None to expand the initiative throughout Scotland, helping to promote good practice across the on trade in Scotland. Additional funding was provided in 2009 to enable every accredited Best Bar None premises to be equipped with a hand held metal detector, to provide reassurance to the public and help them keep their staff and the public safe from the dangers of knife crime. Best Bar None assessor training has been delivered to various venues throughout Scotland and a national Best Bar None awards ceremony was held in March This event was attended by 250 licensees and their partners from a variety of areas throughout the country. Another National Best Bar None awards is scheduled to take place in March Action 17 We are working with local partners in Fife to pilot and evaluate a package of interventions in different locales, drawing on the experience of other partnerships, as well as social norms approaches. We hope that, in due course, the experience and lessons from the Fife pilot will be able to be drawn upon by other areas and adapted for their local circumstances. Aim: to design, develop and implement an intensive series of interventions, including community support, within geographically focused pilots to establish the cumulative effect of a multi faceted and targeted approach to tackling and reducing alcohol related harm. Progress: The Fife Alcohol Partnership Project was launched on 5 May 2009 and is a ground breaking opportunity for all partners, both local and national, to work together to develop, pilot and evaluate potential solutions to tackling alcohol related harm in Scotland. Since its inception, an outcomes framework has been established and a multi-component programme of work in the pilot areas Rosyth and Touch has been developed. The programme of work is well underway through a number of initiatives which will help achieve the outcomes and progress the project towards achieving an enduring reduction in alcohol related harm both in the Fife communities and across Scotland. Action 18 Discussions are on-going about the scope for trading standards officers to be given a role, alongside the police, in enforcing licensing law in relation to off-sales and, specifically, in supporting test purchasing programmes. Aim: To strengthen enforcement provision by encouraging local enforcement agencies to work in partnership. Progress: It has been decided not to give trading standards officers a statutory role in the enforcement of licensing law at present. However, we will continue to encourage 13

16 partnership working locally between the police, trading standards and other relevant interests to improve business practices and compliance with the law, particularly with a view to reducing illegal sales including through test purchasing programmes. Action 19 We will develop sustained and tough enforcement measures such as the Safer Streets initiative, where we have provided over 3 million to Community Safety Partnerships to deliver extra initiatives to tackle alcohol-related violence and disorder over the festive period. We will also continue to support education initiatives such as Medics Against Violence, which involves a number of senior clinicians working with the Violence Reduction Unit to raise awareness amongst young people of the dangers of carrying a knife. Aim: The main objectives of the Safer Streets initiative were to tackle alcohol related disorder and to divert young people from crime and antisocial behaviour. Medics Against Violence (MAV) aims to influence attitudes to violence among young people by sending medics into schools to talk to young people about the consequences of violence. Progress: We ve provided over 3m to Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs) via the Safer Streets Programme since its initial roll-out in November 2006 through to CSPs report improvements in the safety of their city centres during the festive period. The SG have provided MAV with over 220k of funding to date since it was set up in 2008 and a further 65k has been committed through to 2012/13. Over 130 medics are involved and over 5000 school children have received an input. Action 20 We will also focus on early intervention through the Community Initiative to Reduce Violence (CIRV), the ground-breaking gang s initiative to tackle collective violence in the East End of Glasgow. Aim: CIRV is a multi-agency initiative which has a focussed deterrence strategy towards tackling gang violence by targeting high risk street gang members who do not traditionally engage effectively with services. Progress: CIRV received 1.4M of SG funding with a further 3.4M provided in services and in kind from other agencies over the initial 2 year pilot period, The intention from the outset was for CIRV to be a sustainable venture and to be rolled out city-wide with leadership by Strathclyde Police in conjunction with partners in justice, government, community safety services, housing, education, social work, health and the community if found to be successful. An independent evaluation by St Andrews University and Glasgow Caledonian University was conducted and the final 2 nd year report published in May The evaluation showed that around 400 gang members actively engaged with CIRV. CIRV clients have on average, demonstrated a 46% reduction in violent offending as opposed to 25% reduction amongst non-cirv groups. Particularly problematic behaviour such as knife and weapon carrying has demonstrated decreases of 59% and 85% respectively by CIRV clients. 14

17 Action 21 We will shortly publish a research report, which will set out a range of approaches that could be used across Scotland to support drunk and incapable adults. We will arrange an event for stakeholders to disseminate the findings and encourage the assessment of needs and development of appropriate approaches at a local level. Aim: To ensure appropriate coordination of public services to meet the needs of this vulnerable population and mitigate the impact they have on their communities. Progress: We published research 20 on approaches for managing the needs of drunk and incapable people in November 2009, followed by a dissemination event for a range of local stakeholders who included the NHS, Local Authorities, Police, CHPs, SAS, ACPOS, Community Safety Partnerships, Social Work, Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs), Crown Office, Fire Services and other third party stakeholders. Following this, ADPs have been asked to ensure the needs of people who are drunk and incapable are included in local needs assessments when reviewing their service provision and to ensure there are clear and effective partnership-based strategies in place to manage the needs of the vulnerable population and mitigate the impact they have on their communities. In addition, the Scottish Government wrote to Chief Executives in December 2010 to highlight the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) 21 between the Scottish Ambulance Service and the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland. This MOU highlighted the need for joint working and supporting actions in local areas to enable the delivery of integrated and appropriate services to manage the needs of drunk and incapable people. We have asked that local plans to tackle this issue are multi-agency agreements. Action 22 The Scottish Government continues to press the Department for Transport to give serious consideration to a reduction in the drink driving limit and the introduction of new police powers for random breath testing. Aim: To reduce the blood alcohol limit as part of the ongoing efforts to combat the problem of drink driving. Progress: The UK Government Scotland Bill now contains provisions that would give Scottish Ministers the power to prescribe a drink-driving limit for offences committed in Scotland, in line with a recommendation made by the Calman Commission in its final report 23. Under the provision, any order will be subject to the affirmative procedure in the Scottish Parliament. The Scottish Government supports the proposal to devolve responsibility for the drink driving limit to Scottish Ministers. However, the provisions contained in the Bill, as currently drafted, would not provide additional powers on drink driving for example the powers for the police to 20 Summary of findings and recommendations from a research study on managing the needs of drunk and incapable people in Scotland. November Outcomes from Stakeholder Event: Managing the needs of drunk and incapable people in Scotland 22 Scotland Bill UK Parliament 23 Commission on Scottish Devolution,

18 conduct breath tests at any time, anywhere (as recommended by the North Review of Drink and Drug Driving 2009). The Scottish Government will continue to press for such additional flexibility. 4. POSITIVE ATTITUDES, POSITIVE CHOICES ISSUE: Alcohol is an integral part of Scottish life and we welcome the positive aspects our relationship with alcohol. However, where that relationship with alcohol has become unbalanced, clear and decisive action has to be taken. We know alcohol misuse is costing Scotland too much potentially around 3.56 billion per year in extra services and productivity a staggering figure that equates to 900 for every adult in our country. We need to support change in public attitudes by supporting and encouraging more responsible drinking, We need to increase awareness and understanding in order to empower and enable individuals to make more positive choices about the role of alcohol in their lives. Action 23 We will bring forward regulations that will: restrict the display of any marketing material, or other material or activity relating to alcohol, in off-sales premises to one of the two alcohol display areas permitted by paragraph 13 of Schedule 3 of the 2005 Act (inserted by section 3 of the Licensing (Mandatory Conditions No. 2) (Scotland) Regulations 2007). ban any marketing material in any licensed premises that refers to any price other than the price at which the product is currently being sold (per bottle, pack, or measure and/or the price per 100ml or litre) or that makes any reference to sale at a reduced price (for example, Was 5.99, now 2.99 ). The precise detail of these measures will be set out in draft regulations and the Scottish Government and Alcohol Industry Partnership and other stakeholders will have an opportunity to comment on these before they are presented to Parliament. Action 24 In addition to these restrictions, we consider there is considerable scope for producers and retailers to develop, as part of a co-regulatory approach, a code of practice for promotional activity. Aim: Limit the pervasiveness of alcohol promotion and the use of price to promote alcohol to emphasise that alcohol is not an ordinary commodity and to contribute to efforts to change Scotland s alcohol culture. Progress: The Scottish Government considers that promotional material and activity within off-sales premises should be confined to the alcohol display areas to help emphasise that alcohol is not an ordinary commodity. The Alcohol etc. (Scotland) Act 2010 contained measures that limit alcohol promotions to the alcohol display areas and these measures came into force on 1 October In conjunction with the Scottish Government s Guidance to the Alcohol Act 24, the trade published a guide 25 to the Alcohol Act in September 2011, to promote responsible promotion 24 Scottish Government Guidance to the Alcohol Act, October

19 and retailing. This publication is a valuable reference for those retailers who are in the front line and are seeking additional explanation of how to comply with the new laws. Action 25 We have decided, for the time being, not to introduce alcohol only checkouts; however we may revisit this issue if retailers do not comply with the spirit of our other actions on off-sales. Given this decision, the question as to whether those operating such checkouts should be at least 18 years old does not apply. Aim: To emphasise that alcohol is not an ordinary commodity and to contribute to efforts to change Scotland s alcohol culture. Progress: We have decided not to introduce alcohol only checkouts at this time and have no plans at this stage to revisit this. Action 26 We will continue to work with health and industry partners, where appropriate, on the promotion of messages to help people change their behaviour, and on joint initiatives such as Alcohol Awareness Week. Aim: We want to empower and enable people to make informed choices about their alcohol use, by providing them with targeted, relevant and resonant information. Progress: Four successful annual Alcohol Awareness Week (AAW) initiatives have been delivered to date, the last taking place in October At its launch in 2007 the campaign was perceived as truly groundbreaking and brought government, the alcohol industry, health professionals and the voluntary sector together for the first time to promote a single joined up message about responsible drinking. The partnership approach to the campaign, particularly during the first two years, also proved successful in generating significant in-kind support e.g. through activities in retail outlets, ensuring that campaign messages had a wide reach throughout Scotland. AAW was not carried out in 2011 in order to give time for a review to be conducted and for its recommendations to be considered to ensure that future campaigns continue to deliver our desired outcomes. In addition to AAW, the Scottish Government launched a new alcohol health behaviour change campaign targeting women from lower income groups, aged 30-50, in January Core objectives of the campaign were to educate women about how much alcohol is too much, make alcohol misuse personally relevant by increasing self-recognition and reducing deflection, explaining the health consequences of regularly exceeding the sensible drinking guidelines, with the ultimate long-term aim of encouraging people to reduce their alcohol consumption. A second burst of the campaign was launched on 6 th February The New Alcohol Act Explained: A Guide To The Legislation, October

20 Action 27 We will continue to work with partners to develop and promote workplace alcohol policies, noting that the workplace can be a key point of connection with individuals in the promotion of a healthier relationship with alcohol. We will seek to apply more proactive managementled workplace programmes on tackling alcohol misuse, starting from within Scottish Government, with a view to rolling out action across the public sector and encouraging similar action in the private sector. Aim: To help people get the most from their work, improve their health and make a positive economic contribution. Progress: In 2007, working with the Scottish Government and Alcohol Industry Partnership and the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives, we developed a model workplace policy 26 for use by small and medium sized enterprises. The Scottish Government s Wellbeing Strategy, currently under revision, reinforces our commitment to becoming an exemplar in all aspects of the wellbeing of our employees. This includes the issue of alcohol and the workplace. Action 28 We continue to believe that alcohol product labelling could be significantly improved and we are discussing with the UK Government how this could be taken forward. Aim: Raising awareness and publicising alcohol responsibly on alcohol product labels is an important tool to allow customers to make an informed choice, and to make positive lifestyle choices, change drinking habits and drink more responsibly. Progress: The Department of Health and the other Devolved Administrations published a joint consultation paper 27 on 15 February 2010 on options for improving the provision of unit information and health guidelines on labels. In March 2011 the response to the consultation was published 28. In this, the Scottish Government stated our preferred approach to labelling which is a UK-wide mandatory regime. However, given that there was not a consensus amongst the UK administrations in favour of legislation and that there are clear advantages for both consumers and the industry from a UK-wide approach to labelling of alcohol products, we agreed to consider a strengthened self-regulatory option. The self-regulatory scheme is being delivered through the UK Responsibility Deal Alcohol Network (RDAN), launched in March Model Alcohol Policy, Consultation on options for improving information on the labels of alcoholic drinks to support consumers to make healthier choices in the UK, February Consultation on options for improving information on the labels of alcoholic drinks to support consumers to make healthier choices in the UK - response to consultation, March