Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon yesterday announced plans for a sharp rise in the Scottish Government's budget to tackle "the greatest public health challenge facing Scotland" - alcohol misuse.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon yesterday announced plans for a sharp rise in the Scottish Government's budget to tackle "the greatest public health challenge facing Scotland" - alcohol misuse.

The government claims the budget is to go up by 150%, to £25m.

This money is to go to alcohol and drugs action teams, but it is to be ring-fenced to ensure it can only be spent on alcohol.

The intention is to improve local treatment and education services, to help primarily with treatment and rehabilitation of people with drink problems.

A government source said: "The new money will mean treatment and rehabilitation services for people with alcohol problems will more than double. It's important that treatment is delivered as quickly as possible to help those with alcohol problems.

"The government believes tackling alcohol misuse is the greatest public health challenge facing Scotland and this helps meet that challenge".