The Scottish government has announced plans to give health chiefs more money to combat the problems relating to alcohol abuse.
Last year, health boards were given less than £25m, but this year they will see that figure boosted to a total of £36m.
Greater Glasgow and Clyde will receive the biggest single handout, at more than £9m, while the Lothian health board will be given the next biggest amount at £5.3m.
People whose alcohol problems have been identified will benefit from the bulk of the money, although some of it will be spent on “brief interventions” – asking people who turn up at GP surgeries and other health premises with problems that could be drink-related about their intake and offering advice.
Public health minister Shona Robison announced the shareout during a visit to an alcohol counselling service based in Blantyre, South Lanarkshire.
“Scotland’s alcohol misuse problem is costing our country £2.25bn and blighting the lives of families and communities across the country,” she said.
“This further significant investment will help to turn lives around across Scotland by identifying and treating people in need of help.”
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