Dave Thompson MSP

The adoption of an approach used elsewhere in Scotland could allow courts to channel problem drinkers in need of help to turn their lives around towards support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, a Highland MSP told a conference of the organisation in Inverness at the weekend.

Dave Thompson (SNP) had been invited to present a guest speech at the 43rd Highland Gathering of AA at the Thistle Hotel Inverness on Saturday evening and used the occasion to speak about his work to encourage the adoption of the CHIT system, which is supported by local members of AA

The system works in other parts of Scotland by allowing Justices of the Peace to present a series of "Chits" to people who are regularly called in front of them because of problems with alcohol. These Chits are accompanied by contact details of local AA groups, and are completed when they attend meetings to seek help with their problems and the anti-social behaviour this leads them to.

The Chits are returned to the court each month for six months and, if the offender remains trouble-free during this period, then the Sheriff or Justice of the Peace is free to impose no further sentence.

"In other areas, courts have been keen to support a system that leads to improved behaviour without the need to burden the legal process with the need to fine or imprison offenders," Mr Thompson said.

"I was approached by local AA volunteers to help promote the adoption of the Chit system, following my appearance in the media during 2007 discussing the subject of alcohol.

"Since then, I have spoken to Sheriff Clerks, Procurators Fiscal, social workers and administrators and secured an agreement for a member of the local AA to make a presentation on the subject to a group of Sheriffdom legal advisors. Although this has taken some time to set up I am hopeful we will make further progress soon"

Mr Thompson also spoke of his attempts to save the acclaimed Designated Place at Beechwood House, which provided a valuable step on the route from alcohol dependency towards a more normal lifestyle for many, from closure and highlighted the positive impact the Scottish Government's proposals for minimum pricing on alcohol would have in preventing more people from falling into a lifestyle of alcohol dependency.

Note:

Mr Thompson made his speech at the 43rd Highland Gathering of Alcoholics Anonymous at the Thistle Hotel Inverness on Saturday evening, where he had been invited to address the audience as guest speaker.