Alcohol industry action to help reduce alcohol harm is showcased at Holyrood event

Tackling alcohol harm was the focus of an event at Holyrood on Tuesday night, sponsored by Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian.

MSPs and other stakeholders, including police, the third sector, Alcohol & Drug Partnerships, government officials and representatives from the drinks industry, were given the chance to see for themselves the work being carried out across Scotland by the Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership (SAIP).

A new national campaign in partnership with Police Scotland aimed at tackling proxy purchase of alcohol by adults for children, and the creation of Community Alcohol Partnerships in communities across Scotland, were highlighted by the SAIP as key activities for the coming year.

The SAIP was also pleased to announce its work with Drinkaware to support rollout of their ‘Drinkaware at work’ programme. In addition, over the coming year the SAIP will continue to work with Best Bar None Scotland to encourage uptake of the 125ml wine measure in the on-trade, and is providing funding to Street Assist for new equipment.

A number of the organisations that the SAIP and its members work with were represented at the event, including Drinkaware, Community Alcohol Partnerships, Best Bar None, Street Assist, Alcohol Education Trust and the Scotch Whisky Action Fund.

Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian said: “This event was an engaging way to learn about the work that is going on across the country to tackle the harmful use of alcohol. I was particularly encouraged by the work being done by the Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership and Police Scotland to tackle underage drinking.”

Paul Johnson, Partnership Manager at Moray Alcohol and Drug Partnership, commented: “Partnership working is critical if we are to make a difference to the harmful use of alcohol.”

Karen Betts, Chief Executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, said on behalf of the Partnership: “Our industry has an important role to play in encouraging moderate consumption and in tackling alcohol misuse. The event highlighted the range of initiatives being taken forward in partnership across the industry, in addition to work that many companies also do individually. It’s very encouraging to see the progress that these initiatives are making and the impact they are having in communities. We know there is more to do, and we are committed to ensuring that the Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership goes from strength to strength.”

“This event was an engaging way to learn about the work that is going on across the country to tackle the harmful use of alcohol. I was particularly encouraged by the work being done by the Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership and Police Scotland to tackle underage drinking.”

— Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian

ENDS

Issued on behalf of the SAIP by the Scotch Whisky Association, an SAIP Partner For more information, contact the SWA Press Office on 0141 221 0707 or email pressoffice@swa.org.uk

Notes to editors

The Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership (SAIP) is a partnership of alcoholic beverage producers and representatives of the on-trade and off-trade in Scotland which includes:

For more information on the SAIP visit our website: www.saip.org.uk, or contact D Meikle saipsecretariat@swa.org.uk, tel no 0131-222-9220) Organisations represented at the event:

• Drinkaware is the independent UK-wide alcohol education charity that works to help reduce alcohol-related harm by helping people make better choices about their drinking. Details of the Drinkaware at Work programme can be found at this link https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/alcohol-awareness-training

• Best Bar None is a national accreditation and award scheme for licensed premises. Participants are given support and advice to improve the safety of their staff, premises and customers and to adopt high management standards.https://www.bbnscotland.co.uk/

• Community Alcohol Partnerships aim is to reduce alcohol in local communities, with a particular emphasis on preventing underage drinking www.communityalcoholpartnerships.co.uk

• Street Assist: Based in Edinburgh is a volunteer organisation that operates every Friday and Saturday nights to provide a safe space for people who have become vulnerable when out. https://streetassist.co.uk/

• The Alcohol Education Trust has developed ‘Talk About Alcohol’ resources for schools https://alcoholeducationtrust.org/

• Scotch Whisky Action Fund invests in groups and organisations that have innovative plans to reduce the impact of alcohol-related harm in Scotland's communities. Two SWAF funded projects were present: BrightLight’s ‘Families in Recovery’ project and Waverley Care’s SX initiative aimed at supporting alcohol awareness and harm reduction among gay and bisexual men. https://www.foundationscotland.org.uk/programmes/scotch-whisky-action-fund/