Alcohol killed my dad, MSP tells Parly
AN MSP was close to tears yesterday as she told the Scottish Parliament how her father died of alcohol abuse.
Monica Lennon spoke about her family tragedy as she called for an end to the stigma that is often associated with people seeking help for addiction problems.
The Labour MSP said: “Living with addiction is not easy to speak about. But this has to change as recovery and support services can’t help people if they feel too ashamed to access them.
“Too often, families only break their silence about drug or alcohol harm after they have buried their loved ones.
“I know because two years ago, my dad died as a result of alcohol harm.”
Drug deaths in Scotland rose by 23 per cent to 867 last year – the highest number on record.
Drink-related deaths rose 10 per cent to 1265.
Lennon said: “Can I ask the First Minister to join me in sending a message to everyone in Scotland affected by drug or alcohol harm that they matter, they are not to blame and they are deserving of support?”
Nicola Sturgeon praised Lennon’s courage for raising the issue.
The First Minister said: “Monica Lennon is absolutely right – we must see those who suffer from addiction as human beings first and foremost.”
She said the Government’s new drug strategy is based on treating addiction “from a public health perspective” and added that they planned to invest a further £20million in tackling drug and alcohol abuse.
Sturgeon said the rise in drug deaths was due to older, long-term users and is linked to austerity policies in the 80s.