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Pupils from three Blackburn schools told the Health Secretary today about the impact of alcohol on their community - and some of the solutions they want to see.
The youngsters - from Murrayfield, Our Lady's and Blackburn primary schools - had all taken part in Community Action Blackburn's conference and compiled a report about areas of concern in their community. Most worrying for the youngsters was the effect that alcohol misuse has on their family and community life.
Their report called for:
increased pricing
advertising restrictions
a ban on off-licence promotions
fewer alcohol sales outlets
better education and awareness
The pupils also sent their report to the Health Secretary, and other MSPs, to ensure their voices were heard as part of the ongoing alcohol debate.
Ms Sturgeon, who presented certificates to the pupils who took part, said:
"Too often young people are seen as part of the problem when it comes to alcohol misuse. However, it's often young people who are most affected by alcohol misuse, suffering as a result of other people's relationship with alcohol.
"In their report, the Blackburn pupils have captured many of the issues which face communities across Scotland - the problems of people drinking in the street and their threatening behaviour, broken bottles in the park and vandalism. Harmful drinking at home can also cause huge problems for children, if a parent is drinking to excess.
"Many of the items raised by the Blackburn youngsters are already being addressed as part of our Alcohol Framework. But it's interesting that they have also raised pricing as a potential solution. Clearly that's something the Scottish Government tried to address as part of the Alcohol Bill although, despite overwhelming expert support, the main opposition parties failed to back it.
"However, I believe the link between greater affordability of alcohol and increased levels of drinking cannot be ignored. We believe minimum pricing is the most effective pricing mechanism to help tackle alcohol misuse and it would have been of benefit to local communities.
"The Blackburn pupils are to be congratulated for the hard work they have put into this report and I hope that the Scotland they live in as adults will be a country which has a more mature and healthy relationship with alcohol."
The youngsters - from Murrayfield, Our Lady's and Blackburn primary schools - had all taken part in Community Action Blackburn's conference and compiled a report about areas of concern in their community. Most worrying for the youngsters was the effect that alcohol misuse has on their family and community life.
Their report called for:
increased pricing
advertising restrictions
a ban on off-licence promotions
fewer alcohol sales outlets
better education and awareness
The pupils also sent their report to the Health Secretary, and other MSPs, to ensure their voices were heard as part of the ongoing alcohol debate.
Ms Sturgeon, who presented certificates to the pupils who took part, said:
"Too often young people are seen as part of the problem when it comes to alcohol misuse. However, it's often young people who are most affected by alcohol misuse, suffering as a result of other people's relationship with alcohol.
"In their report, the Blackburn pupils have captured many of the issues which face communities across Scotland - the problems of people drinking in the street and their threatening behaviour, broken bottles in the park and vandalism. Harmful drinking at home can also cause huge problems for children, if a parent is drinking to excess.
"Many of the items raised by the Blackburn youngsters are already being addressed as part of our Alcohol Framework. But it's interesting that they have also raised pricing as a potential solution. Clearly that's something the Scottish Government tried to address as part of the Alcohol Bill although, despite overwhelming expert support, the main opposition parties failed to back it.
"However, I believe the link between greater affordability of alcohol and increased levels of drinking cannot be ignored. We believe minimum pricing is the most effective pricing mechanism to help tackle alcohol misuse and it would have been of benefit to local communities.
"The Blackburn pupils are to be congratulated for the hard work they have put into this report and I hope that the Scotland they live in as adults will be a country which has a more mature and healthy relationship with alcohol."