Alcohol-related sexual harrassment has become a normalised part of a night out, a new Drinkaware/YouGov survey has revealed. Almost three quarters (71%) of 18-24 year old men and women who drink in bars, clubs or pubs surveyed said that they had seen sexual harassment on a night out. Continue reading Almost three quarters of young Scots have witnessed sexual harassment while out drinking
A night out relaxing with friends and having a few drinks can be the perfect way to unwind. Unfortunately, alcohol affects people in many different ways in terms of their capacity and reaction to various beverages.
The fact is, alcohol is a key element in a large percentage of violent crime and anti-social behaviour incidents in Scotland. The available statistics indicate that over half of ‘one punch’ crimes are committed under the influence of drink.
Alcohol related crimes range from relatively low level offences such as drunkenness, disorder and assault to serious crimes like domestic abuse, sexual offences and other violent crimes including serious assault, attempted murder, murder and robbery. Sadly, even a minor drunken scuffle can result in tragedy.
During recent public surveys, violent crime was ranked as a key concern, placing it as one of Police Scotland’s top priorities. As such, the One Punch Can Ruin Two Lives campaign has been introduced to raise awareness of the consequences that one punch can have on two people’s lives.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Williams said, “Drinking too much can make you vulnerable and it increases your risk of becoming a victim of crime or getting into trouble.
“One punch can kill and could result in you facing a jail sentence. I want people to enjoy their nights out but at the same time to drink responsibly and consider how much alcohol they are consuming and the effect it has on their decision making and judgement.”
Cabinet Secretary for Justice Michael Matheson said: “Identifying and tackling the root causes of crime and the issues that cause harm in our communities is a responsibility for the police, our partners and communities.
“The ‘One Punch’ campaign is part of the Safe Summer – Action Against Violence campaign and I am encouraged by this initiative to reduce the number of violent incidents and improve the safety and wellbeing of individuals and communities.”
We want you to have a good time, but remember…
Dr Christine Goodall, Director of Medics Against Violence, Honorary Consultant and Lead Clinician for Oral Surgery said, “We are pleased to support Police Scotland with their important ‘One Punch’ Campaign. ‘One Punch’ can be enough to take a life or to result in permanent and life changing disability. This not only affects the victim and their family but leaves the perpetrator facing a long prison sentence with their future and that of their family also significantly affected. There are no winners.
“We would like to reinforce, to young people particularly, how easy it is to cause serious injury. We see this all too often in hospitals and even if the victims survive their lives can be very difficult and different going forward.
“We would appeal to young people to make sensible choices about their actions and around alcohol and to groups of friends to look out for each other when out socialising, because impulsive action taken when judgement is clouded can result in a lifetime of regret.”
National Licensed Trade Partnership’s Chair Donald MacLeod said, “The newly formed National Licensing Trade Partnership (NLTP) is more than happy to lend its support to Police Scotland’s anti-violence and responsible drinking campaign.
“While it has never been safer for the general public to visit a restaurant, pub or club to enjoy a night out with family or friends, acts of violence and crimes associated with alcohol are still a national concern, particularly for local communities. As such, the NLTP fully supports any rational targeted campaign, including this one, which promotes responsible drinking of alcohol and highlights the dangers, damage and suffering that can occur when someone has one drink too many and throws ‘One Punch’.”
Alison Douglas, Chief Executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland said, “With more than half of violent crime in Scotland linked to alcohol, this campaign delivers a really important message. Binge drinking can cause people to lose self-control and situations can quickly escalate with devastating consequences.
“While everyone is responsible for their own actions, there’s no doubt cheap, highly visible and easily accessible alcohol encourages us to drink too much. Measures to reduce our overall alcohol consumption will reduce crime, make our communities safer and ease the burden on the police and emergency services.”
Security Industry Authority (SIA)’s Dave Humphries, Director Partnerships & interventions said, “The SIA is committed to ensuring public protection and we fully support this excellent initiative by Police Scotland. Security operatives have a vital role to play in reducing the risks of violence in the night time economy.”
Violence Reduction Unit’s Will Linden said: “When we drink alcohol, it impacts upon our behaviour, and we can react to situations in a way that we wouldn’t whilst sober. One punch can lead to another then another, one punch can seriously injure someone, one punch can kill and one punch can mean prison. One brief moment can change your life and those around you forever.”
The campaign is supported by the charity ‘Every Action Has Consequences’ which was launched by the family of Adam Rogers, who was killed as a result of one punch in 2009. Having lost Adam his family and friends through the charity urge people to think about the consequences of their actions.
Pat Rogers, Mother of Adam and co-founder of the charity ‘Every Action Has Consequences’ said, “Dave, Tim and I are really pleased to see the ‘One Punch Can Ruin Two Lives’ Campaign being launched in Glasgow this week. We are so glad that Adam’s Story is being used and we hope it continues to have a powerful impact on those who see it. Many people don’t realise that fists can be as dangerous as a knife or a gun. One punch killed our lovely son when he was trying to act as a peacemaker. We fully support this campaign it is so important to get the message across loud and clear – one punch is too many.”
The video below illustrates the scenario which was brought about by over indulgence, and which resulted in needless tragedy and the ruination of not one, but two lives:
A groundbreaking initiative which helps people overcome their addictions has celebrated helping its 600th graduate. Edinburgh resident Angie Dunn is the latest person to complete the Lothian and Edinburgh Abstinence Programme (LEAP), and she joined staff and NHS Lothian Chair Brian Houston to mark the event. Continue reading LEAP of joy: pioneering programme celebrates 600th success story
Edinburgh Police have launched a new partnership initiative in the Leith area to tackle the issue of proxy purchasing – where adults purchase alcohol for under-18s. Continue reading You’re Asking For it: Leith partnership tackles proxy purchasing:
A mobile phone/tablet app to help support people in Edinburgh who are recovering from drug or alcohol addiction has been launched.
The Addiction Recovery Companion-Edinburgh (ARC-Edinburgh) is the result of a collaboration between the City of Edinburgh Council and Edinburgh Apps winners Anne-Marie Mann and Ella Robbins. It aims to help its users to link to the extensive addiction recovery network in the capital, to track their progress and to boost motivation. Continue reading New app companion to aid city’s addiction recovery community
Chief medical officers update advice for lower-risk drinking
Men and women should drink no more than 14 units of alcohol a week to reduce the risk of diseases such as cancer and liver disease, under new guidelines issued by the United Kingdom Chief Medical Officers (CMOs). Continue reading 14 units: that’s your limit
Penumbra Milestone wins innovation award
An Edinburgh service for people with Alcohol Related Brain Damage (ARBD) has been recognised for its innovative approach at this year’s Scottish Health Awards, held in the capital this week. Continue reading Milestone reached as Penumbra wins health award
Pubs feel the pinch: Almost three quarters of alcohol sold in Scotland was from supermarkets or off-licences
Alcohol sales went up again during 2014 – and the Scottish government says the latest figures reinforce the need for minimum unit pricing to tackle the sale of cheap, strong alcohol.
This comes after recent statistics showing a second year of increases in alcohol-related deaths.
Despite recent improvements in alcohol-related harm levels following measures such as the multi-buy discount ban and increased investment in alcohol treatment and care services, affordability remains a key issue, and is closely related to consumption and harm.
Figures published today show that 10.7 litres of pure alcohol were sold per adult in Scotland in 2014 – equivalent to 20.5 units per adult per week – compared to 10.6 litres in 2013. This is in contrast to the trend for declining sales seen in recent years and is mainly due to more alcohol being sold in supermarkets and off-licences – known as the off-trade.
Scots continue to drink almost a fifth more than in England and Wales, where nine litres of pure alcohol were sold per adult – equivalent to 17.4 units per adult per week.
The figures also show that for the first time since 2007, the average price per unit in the off-trade has not increased and remains at 52 pence. However, more than half of alcohol sold in off-trade costs below 50 pence per unit – the level proposed for minimum unit pricing.
The shift from sales in pubs and clubs to supermarkets and off-licences, where average prices are much lower, has also continued. Almost three quarters of alcohol sold in Scotland – 72 per cent – was from supermarkets or off-licences, the highest market share seen.
Public Health Minister Maureen Watt said: “It’s concerning that the decline in consumption seen in recent years now appears to have stalled, especially after figures published last week showed alcohol-related deaths have increased for the second year running.
“That is why we remain absolutely committed to tackling Scotland’s difficult relationship with alcohol head on. In particular championing the introduction of Minimum Unit Pricing.
“We recognise that no single measure will help change our relationship with alcohol. Our Alcohol Framework has more than 40 measures to reduce alcohol-related harm, such as the multi-buy discount ban, increased investment in alcohol treatment and care services, increased delivery of Alcohol Brief Interventions, legislation to ban irresponsible promotions, and introduction of a lower drink drive limit.
“The Framework has had a positive impact so far, but while an average of around 22 people a week still die because of alcohol, there can be no room for complacency. That is why we are working on the next phase of our alcohol strategy which will be ready in 2016.
“The fact that more than half of alcohol in the off-trade is being sold at under 50p per unit is worrying, given the established link between affordability and alcohol-related harm. It reinforces our belief that minimum unit pricing is an essential part of an effective alcohol strategy.”
A driver will be stopped and breath tested every two minutes this summer
The Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland have launched their 2015 Summer Drink Drive campaign in support of Police Scotland’s Summer Safety Campaign. Using the strapline ‘Don’t spoil summer’, the campaign reminds drivers that getting behind the wheel after even one drink isn’t worth the risk or the consequences.
New data released yesterday shows that in Scotland there has been a 17% reduction in drink driving offences from January – March 2015 (997) compared to the same period in 2014 (1,209). This follows the introduction of Scotland’s new lower drink drive limit on 5 December, which means that even just one drink could put a driver over the limit.
Police stop a driver approximately every two minutes in Scotland Scotland, and have the powers to breath-test many of them. Police Scotland enforcement activity is running alongside Road Safety Scotland’s social marketing campaign, which highlights the often spontaneous nature of summer socialising.
Following the success of the legislation change in Scotland, the Police Federation of England & Wales last week issued a call for the legal limit in England and Wales to be in line with Scotland.
Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Michael Matheson, said: “Since the introduction of the new lower drink drive limit six months ago, Scotland is starting to see a real change in behaviour. The 17% reduction in drink driving offences indicates that Scottish drivers are avoiding alcohol when they are driving.
“Fewer drink driving offences is a positive story for Scotland and shows that we’re leading social and legislative change in the UK. We’re urging Scots to take care this summer and to remember it’s safer to avoid driving if you’ve consumed alcohol.
Michael McDonnell, Director of Road Safety Scotland, said: “Summer can be a time for getting together with friends and family, and many people go for a drink with colleagues after work on a sunny evening. Because this drinking is often unplanned, people may not have thought about the journey home. And many people don’t realise that just one drink can put them over the legal limit.
“Evidence shows that even one alcoholic drink before driving makes you three times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident. It is estimated that one in eight deaths on Scottish roads involve drivers who are over the legal limit and, despite what many people think, eating food or a perceived alcohol tolerance don’t reduce its effects. Even a small amount impairs your judgement and reactions so, the best advice is just don’t risk it.”
Chief Superintendent Iain Murray, Head of Road Policing at Police Scotland, said: “Our message is simple – don’t spoil summer for you and your family or another family by drinking and driving. Police Scotland stop more than 20,000 Scottish drivers a month. That’s one vehicle every two minutes. If you have committed an offence, or if we have reasonable cause to suspect that you have been drinking, you may be subjected to a breath test.
“Even if you’re just over the limit, you’re still a drunk driver in the eyes of the law – there is no grey area. This may affect your current and future employment and can have wider implications for other areas of your life including overseas travel, even just for family holidays. If you drink and drive, you won’t just spoil summer.”
Find out more by visiting www.dontriskit.info or the Road Safety Scotland Facebook page.
If you suspect someone of drink driving, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 your local police office by dialling 101. In an emergency, dial 999.
LEAP treats 450th patient
LEAP, the pioneering drug and alcohol detox and rehabilitation service, is celebrating after treating its 450th patient.
