By Dr Alastair MacGilchrist, SHAAP Chair and former Consultant Hepatologist at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

In this blog, Dr MacGilchrist looks back at SHAAP’s work in 2022, including report launches, Parliamentary events and SHAAP’s first public-facing campaign, calling time on alcohol sponsorship in sports. Dr MacGilchrist also discusses SHAAP’s plans for the year ahead, including our continued work to support Minimum Unit Pricing in Scotland.

By Dr Laurine Platzky (Board Member, REEP (Research Excisable Products, University of Cape Town))

In this blog post, Dr Laurine Platzky provides an in-detail analysis of the Enyobeni Tavern incident in South Africa, which saw 21 children die after consuming alcohol underage. Dr Platzky highlights the consequences of poorly implemented laws and policies in this tragedy and explores what this case means for future legislation around alcohol in South Africa.

By former First Minister of Scotland, Rt Hon. Henry McLeish.

Rt Hon. Henry McLeish writes about his passion for football, his thoughts on SHAAP's latest report and why Scotland needs to call time on alcohol sports sponsorship.  

By Dr Christopher Steer, Retired Consultant Paediatrician and SHAAP Steering Group Member.

In this blog post, Dr Christopher Steer looks at the history of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, how the diagnosis has progressed beyond the physical characteristics of the individual and highlights the importance of raising awareness, providing support and offering training in the future.

By Emma Roddick, MSP for Highlands and Islands 

As Parliament returns for a new term, Emma Roddick reflects on the role of alcohol in rural and island communities in Scotland.

By James Morris, (@jamesmorris24), a Research Fellow at Centre for Addictive Behaviours Research at London South Bank University (@CABR_LSBU).

In this blog James Morris highlights why we need to look more closely at the stories we tell and hear around alcohol use and problems.

By Nick Bibby, writer and recovering alcoholic.

In this blog, Nick Bibby discusses how we talk about alcohol and how that affects those whose lives have been harmed by it.

By Dr Mary Jean Walker, Lecturer in Philosophy at La Trobe University, Australia

In this blog post, Dr Mary Jean Walker discusses the acceptance of drinking and drunkenness, responsibility, identity and culture, and the ethicality of various alcohol policy processes.

By Dr Elena Dimova, Prof Carol Emslie, Dr Jamie Frankis & Prof Lawrie Elliott, Glasgow Caledonian University (@SubMisuseGCU)

This blog post by researchers from Glasgow Caledonian University reports on their recent study for SHAAP "What are LGBTQ+ people’s experiences of alcohol services in Scotland? A qualitative study of service users and service providers", which highlights the difficulties LGBTQ+ people experience when trying to access alcohol services in Scotland. 

By Michaela Jones, National Policy Officer, Scottish Recovery Consortium.

In this blog post, Michaela reflects on her own lived experience of addiction and the need to understand stigma as more than just language.