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Increase in alcohol abuse fuels youth crime

The number of young offenders who blame alcohol for their crimes has almost doubled in the last 30 years, according to the most comprehensive study into drinking and violence in Scotland.

The study by Bill McKinlay, governor of Barlinnie prison, and academics at Glasgow Caledonian University reveals a startling insight into offending and alcohol misuse over time.

Contrary to public perception, very few of the young offenders going into prison blamed drugs for their crimes but they increasingly claimed the problem is due to drinking. And offenders were far more likely to carry weapons and be more violent when drunk.

More than two in five - some 43% - of the inmates interviewed in 2007 revealed they had drank Buckfast immediately prior to their offence. The number blaming just drugs dropped from 21% in 1996 to 9% in 2007.

Full story at The Herald.

• Buckfast Tonic Wine is made by the Roman Catholic Community of Benedictine monks at Buckfast Abbey in Devon, and distributed by J. Chandler & Co (Buckfast) Ltd of Andover.