News
Speaking out about alcohol misuse
Tuesday 16 March 2010
As MSPs debate a new Bill to tackle alcohol misuse, CHILDREN 1ST is asking MSPs to reduce the impact of parents’ drinking upon their children.
In written and oral evidence to MSPs, CHILDREN 1ST emphasised the significant negative impacts on children and young people of their parents’ binge-drinking. The charity urged MSPs to take steps to reduce alcohol consumption across the country, and called for a social marketing campaign and alcohol labelling to encourage parents to consider the impacts of their drinking on their family.
CHILDREN 1ST were also one of eight children’s organisations that issued a joint statement on alcohol misuse, calling on the Scottish Government to place children’s interests at the heart of alcohol policy. This included a statement of our support for setting a minimum price per alcohol unit.
Tom Roberts, Head of Public Affairs, said:
“Alcohol misuse is entrenched in the Scottish culture, and is having a very damaging impact upon our children and young people. CHILDREN 1ST services hear time and time again about how alcohol has brought neglect and violence to our homes and children.
It is time for policy-makers, and for all of us, to do something about it. That is why we are calling on the Scottish Government to target parental drinking through a national social marketing campaign to raise awareness and change attitudes.”
You can read our written submission to the Scottish Parliament here.
Last updated: Thursday 8 April 2010
