McKee calls for minimum price support

LOTHIANS SNP MSP and former Wester Hailes GP Ian McKee has seized on a report branding alcohol more harmful than heroin to appeal to fellow politicians to back minimum pricing.

The study led by former government adviser Professor David Nutt - sacked for criticising the then-Labour government's decision to upgrade cannabis from class C to class B - took into account not only the harm to individuals but also the wider social effects.

Dr McKee said: "This report is compelling and I invite every MSP to have a good read at it before the final stage of the Alcohol Bill later this month.

"Given the excessive quantity of alcohol consumption in Scotland, it should not be surprising if it's considered more harmful to society than A-class drugs.

"Drugs are rightly perceived as killer substances but we mustn't forget that, in the long run, alcohol can kill and can be equally damaging to society.

"The opposition parties have miserably failed in coming up with alternatives to minimum pricing. It's time they stopped playing games with Scotland and do what's right.

"Minimum pricing will measure the calibre of each politician in this parliament. It will distinguish the responsible from the opportunists."