Posted Thursday 05 November 2009
The Rt Rev Dr Bob Gillies, Bishop of Aberdeen & Orkney is calling on Scottish Parliament to adopt the forthcoming Alcohol Bill, saying ‘Some bits of the Bill are going to be controversial, especially minimum pricing. However if our nation and each of us within it is to have a healthy future then the nettle that is alcohol misuse must be grasped.’
Dr Gillies, whose concern is shared by the other Bishops of the Scottish Episcopal Church, is worried about ‘the gap that is enlarging between enjoying a drink as a normal and respectable social activity and those who misuse it to their own detriment and that of their families’, their neighbourhood and the nation. Sadly a laissez-faire, free-for-all attitude that lacks responsibility for oneself and for others seems to rule the day.
‘Far too many people view each approaching weekend as an occasion to descend to a state where they are out of control and out of mind, making our city and town centres unpleasant, threatening and unwelcome places.’
Dr Gillies supports the First Minister’s view that Scotland and its people need a ‘real, lasting, social and cultural change’ in the nation’s attitude to alcohol and is concerned that there is much personal unhappiness ‘fuelled by alcohol’ hidden behind otherwise normal and respectable doors in our villages and leafy suburbs. He concludes ‘None of this helps make Scotland an attractive place for those who have been taking “Homecoming Scotland” seriously this year.’
Category: Bishops, Dioceses, Aberdeen & Orkney, General
