News

AFS Scottish Budget Briefing Published

Ahead of the draft Scottish Budget on Wednesday 4th December, Alcohol Focus Scotland has published a new briefing which has been sent to MSPs.

Highlighting the scale of the ongoing alcohol emergency, the briefing calls for increased investment in alcohol treatment - as well as the introduction of a public health supplement on alcohol retailers to used to fund preventative interventions that help people before they reach a crisis point. For example, funds could be used to improve the early identification of alcohol-related liver disease.

Summary

• In 2023, 1,277 people lost their lives to alcohol-specific causes, the highest number in 15 years and a
  25% increase from before the pandemic.
• It has been three years since the Scottish Government rightly recognised alcohol harm as a public
  emergency, alongside drugs deaths.
• Over 30 organisations have called for urgent action to effectively address this public health emergency,
  including dedicated funding for alcohol treatment.
• Yet, unlike drugs deaths, there has been no emergency response.
• Audit Scotland has identified the need for increased focus and funding to tackle alcohol-related harm.
• The 2025-26 Scottish Budget should support an emergency response to alcohol harm by: introducing a
  new Public Health Supplement on alcohol retailers to fund early intervention and prevention measures;
  and increasing investment in alcohol services.
• A National Needs Assessment should be conducted to better understand the demand for, availability of,
  and utilisation of services.

Read the briefing in full