PRESS RELEASE

November 18th, 2008

Duncan McNeil MSP is backing a new initiative to to tackle knife crime that will see doctors visit schools.

Medics Against Violence (MAV), aims to raise awareness of the short and long term impact of violence-related injuries and prevent young people from becoming victims and future patients.

The initiative, which is being backed by the national Violence Reduction Unit and the World Health Organisation as part of their Violence Prevention Alliance, is funded by £80k of government cash.

MAV’s first venture will be an educational programme aimed at 14 year olds and so far over 60 medics have so far pledged their free time to take part in delivering the sessions.

Inverclyde schools will the first to receive a visit from the doctors.

Duncan McNeil, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, said: “I welcome these steps to combat violence and knife crime and I am particularly pleased that Inverclyde schools will benefit first from the experiences of these doctors.

“There is no doubt that these medics and indeed victims have a unique insight into the toll that Scotland’s blade culture has on our communities.

“So it is only right that they should get the platform to make our young people aware of the terrible consequences knives and violence can have.”

Dr Goodall, Senior Lecturer, Honorary Consultant Oral Surgeon at Glasgow University Dental School, said:

 “Scotland’s Health Service bears a significant burden from violence. Each year, an estimated £517m is spent on dealing with the consequences of violent attacks.

“Healthcare workers see the outcomes of these attacks every day. We see how they can ruin lives, not only of the victims, but of their families and friends. Scars caused by knives and other weapons run much deeper than what we see on the surface – they imprint on every part of a victim’s life, from personal relationships to getting a job, an imprint that will impact on them every single day.”

Mr McNeil is to meet with the Medics Against Violence next month.

ENDS