The project offers overnight places to drunk people

Kenny MacAskill made the suggestion as he visited and praised an Aberdeen project which aims to help people with alcohol problems avoid jail.

The Alcohol Support project, which offers overnight places to drunks, could be rolled out across the country.

Alcohol Support has been hailed a success since its 1983 launch.

I think hard-pressed casualty units in our hospitals and police cells are not the best place for people that are drunk and incapable, they have better things to do with their time Kenny MacAskill Scottish Justice Secretary

It is hoped the designated places scheme can be used as a model for other cities across Scotland.

Alcohol Support's general manager Harry Miller said: "I am very proud of the designated place scheme and it is the first of its kind in Scotland.

"We have been going since 1983 so we are not a new concept. We are delighted that the minister is looking at this way of dealing with public drunkenness."

Mr MacAskill told BBC Scotland: "I think hard-pressed casualty units in our hospitals and police cells are not the best place for people that are drunk and incapable, they have better things to do with their time."

Mr MacAskill was also speaking to frontline Grampian Police officers in Aberdeen about the battle to stem drink-fuelled violence in the city centre.