Cost of Ayrshire alcohol abuse is £1.8m

Aug 28 2009 by Cheryl McEvoy, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

THE amount of cash spent tackling alcohol abuse in Ayrshire soared to almost £1.8 million in the past year.

MSP Adam Ingram revealed that funding rose from £722,238 as part of a Scottish Government bid to curb binge drinking and the problems associated with booze.

He said: “The large increase in funding by the Scottish Government shows the seriousness with which we are tackling the issue in partnership with local health boards and local alcohol partnerships.

“Alcohol misuse is a chronic problem which has afflicted Scotland for generations.

“It causes misery in society and we are taking strong action to tackle it.”