Drink problem
THE SNP plan to impose minimum prices for alcohol is most unlikely to make any difference, except of course to the vast majority of moderate drinkers’ pockets, and the government’s coffers.
The underlying problem is surely unemployment and life in housing schemes devoid of things to do except make trouble. By tackling that, much more difficult though it is, the problem can surely be solved. Merely taxing it will only result in changing the problem, as miscreants look elsewhere for kicks, such as drugs.
What would help, however, would be to force supermarkets to charge normal prices for alcohol and thus reduce food prices inflated to compensate for alcohol offers. This cynical policy has put hundreds of pubs and off-licences out of business already. Does the government really want to allow this to continue and have to pay out ever more in unemployment benefit?
Paula MacLean
St Stephen Street