Border Telegraph | News | Alcohol abuse in the Borders

Tuesday, 6th January, 2009

Published: Wednesday, 18th July, 2007 13:42

Alcohol abuse in the Borders

By Border Telegraph Newsroom

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'People who drink too much are ruining their own lives and the lives of those around them'

AS the Procurator Fiscal in the Borders, Graham Fraser has a unique insight into criminal behaviour.

An estimable courtroom performer, it is Mr Fraser who receives police reports of offences across the region and decides who should face charges.

And he has no doubt that alcohol abuse is a key factor in a range of crimes, from violence to public disorder, vandalism to reckless driving.

Speaking exclusively to the Border Telegraph he said too much police, court and hospital time was spent dealing with people who overindulge.

Mr Fraser continued: “This abuse plays a massive part in domestic disputes, street disturbance, and general pointless nuisance offences.”

“I would like to be able to find some way of making people realise that alcohol is a drug which can give a lot of pleasure but which is far too often abused.

“People who drink too much (are) ruining their own lives and health and the lives of people around them.”

The Border Telegraph has obtained figures that illustrate the devastating effect of bingeing.

Information collated by the Drug & Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) show the average age of first drinking is only 12 years old.

In the South of Scotland, around 26 per cent of men are drinking more than is healthy on a weekly basis, and the number of women has risen from 8 per cent to 15 per cent.

There has been a 64 per cent increase in the number of patients discharged from the Borders General Hospital following a diagnosis of alcoholic liver disease.

The age group seemingly suffering the most severe effects from over-drinking is 35 to 39 years old and trends indicate numbers are rising year on year.

Julie Murray of DAAT said: “Seeing alcohol related illnesses in younger people reflects the increasing consumption of alcohol that is not only more widely available, but is stronger.

“People think they know how much a unit is, but in most cases they don’t because bigger units of stronger alcohol have almost crept in by stealth.”

Under current guidelines, women are advised to drink no more than two or three units, around a large glass of wine, a day, but with alcohol-fee days throughout the week.

Men can drink three to four units a day and remain healthy but they should also have alcohol-free days.

Mr Fraser told the Border Telegraph it was parents who needed to take more responsibility in educating their children on the dangers of excessive alcohol drinking.

He said: “It is a question of education, but the people who really must take responsibility are mums and dads.

“If they drink too much (and a lot of people of all ages do drink too much without realising or admitting it), then the chances of them being copied by their children are very high.

“I am scared by the number of young people - increasingly young women - who are destroying their health by drinking enormous amounts of cheap unpleasant liquor.”

This assertion is backed up by research from Reiver Project, a drug and alcohol advice service for the under-16s, which has experienced a 60 per cent increase of referrals over six years.

And in the last year alone, a total of 130 referrals have been made to the Galashiels-based group.

Superintendent David Gardner of Lothian and Borders police said: “The number of young persons drinking alcohol is a recognised problem and the police work with schools and various voluntary groups and projects throughout the area to educate the youngsters as to the dangers of excessive drinking.

“In this arena though these agencies cannot solve the problem in isolation and require the assistance of parents and the retail section to limit access to alcohol by this vulnerable group.”

Responding to the Mr Fraser’s comments, Ms Murray said: “DAAT welcomes the comments made by the Procurator Fiscal, who must see firsthand the impact alcohol can have on social disorder every working day.

“I agree with Mr Fraser that parents need to set a more responsible example for their kids, but we also need to look at the collective case.

“Drinking is part of a broader social culture. We use it to commiserate and celebrate and usually it is involved with every kind of social function in some form or another.

“Alcohol has most recently played a large part in the Common Ridings and it people are encouraged to drink a lot.”

Superintendent Gardner also emphasised the impact of traditional Borders festivities on increased nuisance in area.

He said: “Policing the Scottish Borders is a privilege, especially at this time of year with all the Common Riding Festivals and other local events.

“The majority of people enjoy the festivities, and for many the consumption of alcohol, it is recognised, forms part of the celebration.

“It is evident that a number of people over indulge in their alcohol intake and the resulting anti social behaviour is unacceptable and is policed robustly by my officers.”

lTo help counteract drink-driving across Scotland, a new initiative was launched recently.

The police will not only breathalyse drivers involved in road traffic accidents and those suspected of being under the influence of alcohol, but anyone stopped in relation to a motoring offence.

This special summer drink/drugs driving campaign will last for two weeks.

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