Central Scotland SNP MSP, Christina McKelvie, has welcomed the SNP Government’s announcement this week that NHS Lanarkshire will receive £3.44m as its share of a £36m investment to tackle alcohol misuse in Scotland. The funding for 2009/10 represents a 45 per cent jump from the previous year.

The Liber8 alcohol action project in Blantyre, which was visited by Public Health Minister, Shona Robison MSP, this week, has already benefited from the Scottish Government’s commitment to tackling alcohol misuse. The only community-based alcohol service in South Lanarkshire, the new resources have enabled Liber8 move into purpose-built premises and to employ counsellors to add to its existing volunteer-provided service.

Ms McKelvie said:
“Alcohol misuse is major problem in Scotland which affects the lives of thousands of Scots and Scottish families every single year and costs the taxpayer billions. The Liber8 project is a great example of a community-based service able to provide real, practical help and support for people affected by alcohol misuse when and where they need it.

“I’m very pleased that the Scottish Government’s targeted funding has enabled Liber8 not only to expand its staff and volunteers numbers, but also to move into bigger, purpose-designed premises in Blantyre, which will enable the service to reach even more people affected by their own or someone else’s drinking.

“Services such as Liber8 are a vital tool in reducing the effects of alcohol misuse and promoting responsible attitudes to drinking in Scotland. The Scottish Government’s latest cash injection is a welcome boost to those efforts and underlines the SNP’s commitment to tackling this problem.”

Christina McKelvie MSP tabled the following motion in the Scottish Parliament:
Liber8 Lanarkshire
That the Parliament commends the work of Liber8 Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire’s only community-based alcohol service; notes that Liber8 has provided counselling and support to over 1,000 adults in the past two years, has already experienced a 30 per cent increase in user numbers during 2009, and is expanding its youth service with a new pilot in North Lanarkshire; further notes that, thanks to Scottish Government funding, Liber8 has recently moved to bigger purpose-designed premises in Blantyre; applauds Liber8 on its proactive approach to staff training which has so far resulted in eight volunteers make the transition to becoming paid staff; believes that such community-based alcohol services are vital tools in reducing the effects of alcohol misuse and promoting responsible attitudes to drinking in Scotland; and welcomes the Scottish Government’s reaffirmed commitment to tackling alcohol abuse with funding of £36 million for 2009/10, which will enable services such as Liber8 to reach and help even more individuals, families and communities affected by alcohol misuse.