Tuesday 06 May 2008 @ 16:36
Scottish Government
Scottish Government
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'Sobering' costs of alcohol
Alcohol misuse is costing Scotland a staggering £2.25 billion - more than double previous estimates - according to figures released today.
The latest data show the annual cost of alcohol misuse to business, the NHS, social services, police and courts.
This is spread over the NHS (£405 million); social work services (£170 million); criminal justice and the fire service (£385 million); wider economic costs (£820 million) and human/social costs (£470 million).
And it warns that the new £2.25 billion figure may be a significant underestimate.
Among the startling findings, the report shows:
* Lower productivity at work and days off from hangovers could be costing Scottish business £400 million
* The use of hospital beds to treat drinkers could be costing the NHS more than £150 million
* Alcohol is costing A&E services another £32.3 million
* Police response to alcohol misuse is estimated to be swallowing £288 million - with alcohol assumed to be behind 40 per cent of violent crimes
* Premature deaths caused by alcohol abuse are estimated to be costing Scotland £328 million
Minister for Public Health Shona Robison said:
"These shocking figures showing the scale of Scotland's drink problem are truly sobering.
"It's clear that the cost to Scotland from alcohol misuse cuts across services, including the NHS, the police, courts and social services - and also has a huge knock-on effect on our economy.
"Alcohol misuse isn't just damaging our health and straining our services, it's holding back our potential as a nation.
"The report also points out that there are a great many intangible costs to Scottish society from alcohol misuse - how do you put a price on domestic violence, child neglect or family grief.
"These figures are a reminder that Scotland's alcohol problem is one of the biggest challenges we face, and tackling it must be one of our top priorities.
"That's why, over the next three years, we will invest over £120 million to help prevent alcohol misuse, and provide support and treatment to those who need it."
The report estimates that in 2006/7 alcohol misuse cost Scotland £2.25 billion. This is spread over the NHS (£405 million); social work services (£170 million); criminal justice and the fire service (£385 million); wider economic costs (£820 million) and human/social costs (£470 million).
In 2001 the report cost of Alcohol Misuse in Scotland: Trends and Costs, estimated the cost of alcohol misuse to be around £1.07 billion. In 2004/5 the Scottish Government's Health Analytical Services Division updated these figures and estimated the cost to society in 2002/3 as being in the region of £1.125 billion pounds.
The over £120 million prevention budget is formed from the existing commitment of £12.45 million per year over the next three years plus an additional £85.3 million of new money.
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The latest data show the annual cost of alcohol misuse to business, the NHS, social services, police and courts.
This is spread over the NHS (£405 million); social work services (£170 million); criminal justice and the fire service (£385 million); wider economic costs (£820 million) and human/social costs (£470 million).
And it warns that the new £2.25 billion figure may be a significant underestimate.
Among the startling findings, the report shows:
* Lower productivity at work and days off from hangovers could be costing Scottish business £400 million
* The use of hospital beds to treat drinkers could be costing the NHS more than £150 million
* Alcohol is costing A&E services another £32.3 million
* Police response to alcohol misuse is estimated to be swallowing £288 million - with alcohol assumed to be behind 40 per cent of violent crimes
* Premature deaths caused by alcohol abuse are estimated to be costing Scotland £328 million
Minister for Public Health Shona Robison said:
"These shocking figures showing the scale of Scotland's drink problem are truly sobering.
"It's clear that the cost to Scotland from alcohol misuse cuts across services, including the NHS, the police, courts and social services - and also has a huge knock-on effect on our economy.
"Alcohol misuse isn't just damaging our health and straining our services, it's holding back our potential as a nation.
"The report also points out that there are a great many intangible costs to Scottish society from alcohol misuse - how do you put a price on domestic violence, child neglect or family grief.
"These figures are a reminder that Scotland's alcohol problem is one of the biggest challenges we face, and tackling it must be one of our top priorities.
"That's why, over the next three years, we will invest over £120 million to help prevent alcohol misuse, and provide support and treatment to those who need it."
The report estimates that in 2006/7 alcohol misuse cost Scotland £2.25 billion. This is spread over the NHS (£405 million); social work services (£170 million); criminal justice and the fire service (£385 million); wider economic costs (£820 million) and human/social costs (£470 million).
In 2001 the report cost of Alcohol Misuse in Scotland: Trends and Costs, estimated the cost of alcohol misuse to be around £1.07 billion. In 2004/5 the Scottish Government's Health Analytical Services Division updated these figures and estimated the cost to society in 2002/3 as being in the region of £1.125 billion pounds.
The over £120 million prevention budget is formed from the existing commitment of £12.45 million per year over the next three years plus an additional £85.3 million of new money.
Related Links
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