In the years of Labour government at Holyrood, alcohol-related hospital admissions to general acute hospitals, climbed steadily and worryingly, to peak in 2006/2007. From then on as the SNP in government began their push toward a more equal society with enhanced benefits, more progressive taxation, lower rent and rates and more affordable housing than elsewhere in the UK, they have fallen steadily.
In addition, the SNP Minimum Unit Pricing scheme has now been running for six years. Some researchers have been keen to suggest it has not been effective but have no other explanation for the continued and accelerating fall since then.
As well as the above broader changes, NHS Scotland’s alcohol treatment services have seen 91% treated within the target 3 weeks, beating the target for at least the last three years. In prisons, the figure was 100%.
Proving cause and effect is always difficult but put it all together and it’s a compelling case.
Again, if the trend went the other way, as it did for some time with drug deaths, and you can be sure the causes would clear to BBC Scotland, opposition politicians and their pet academics.
BBC Scotland’s coverage of today’s good news?
Not a word.
Sources:
Talking-up Scotland 'Albatraz' 
If BBC Scotland were to report this, they would present it as “hospital admissions for acute alcohol treatment plummet”. Her Dameness the Jaikie of Baillie and her china, Sandesh Gulhane, said, reading from the same script, “Yet again this SNP government has failed needy people. Scrap MUP so that poor people can buy more booze, then the numbers needing hospitalisation will return to Labour levels”.
To move away from flippancy – I attended the Glasgow philosophical Society lecture tonight. It was about the heart and about developing treatments for heart disease. However, the presenter stated without equivocation that to reduce heart disease (and other diseases) in the population, PAY PEOPLE MORE MONEY!
Alasdair Macdonald
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Labour did not support MUP or the smoking ban. It took over 5 years to get MUP through because of unionist objections. Scottish consumption of alcohol was 25% than the rest of the UK for historical reasons. Thatcher’s lying policies towards Scotland causing deprivation. Kept secret under the Official Secrets Act.
MUP has decreased alcohol consumption and deaths. Consumption is now on par with the rest of the UK. Higher rates of consumption meant higher deaths. Lower alcohol tolerance by the Scottish Gov. Drink, driving rules.,Alcohol consumption rates lowered. Less people in A&E. Less accidents.
The UK Gov increased consumption. Blair 24/7 hours drinking culture. Licence
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I think you will find that it was the Lab/LibDem Scottish Executive that brought in the smoking ban and the SNP, to its credit, supported it unlike Labour when it came to MUP
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Smoking ban April 2011. Minority SNP Gov. May 2011 Election SNP all out victory,
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