Thaindian News

London, Dec 31(ANI): Binge drinking during the festive season has raised fresh concerns among government officials, who claim it is damaging the culture of Scotland.

Justice secretary Kenny MacAskill hit out on the countrys damaging bevy culture, saying that it had become Scotland’s “national sport”.

“Scotland has a huge cultural problem with alcohol. It’s never more evident than around Christmas and New Year when getting drunk can feel and look like the national sport, the Daily Record quoted MacAskill as saying.

“It’s impossible to walk down the street at night without seeing people who’ve simply had too much to drink. We’re not saying don’t have a drink. I enjoy the occasional pint of beer as much as the next man, he added.

MacAskill stressed the need for a long-term strategy to change the culture, highlighting that most murder accused were found to be under the influence of alcohol, and that a Scot died every six hours due to alcohol.

“But when nearly half of those accused of murder were drunk when they committed their offence, when one Scot dies every six hours from alcohol abuse, when alcohol costs our economy tens of millions, it’s time to say enough is enough, he said.

“For the good of Scotland and everyone who lives in or visits the country, we need to take action,” he added.

He said that the government was planning to include a ban on “three for two” or “three for 10 pounds ” wine offers, which encouraged people to drink more.

Public health minister Shona Robison said that the government would “kickstart a change in our cultural relationship with alcohol” next year.

“Scots need to think about how much they drink and do something about it,” she added. (ANI)