DRINK DEATHS SOAR BY 17% IN JUST 1 YEAR
Campaigner says grim total is ‘stark reminder’ for Government
ALCOHOL-RELATED deaths in Scotland have surged by 17 per cent.
The number of deaths linked to booze in 2020 increased to 1190 from 1020 according to statistics published by National Records of Scotland – the largest number since 2008.
Experts believe the rise may be linked to the coronavirus lockdown.
Alison Douglas, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, branded the increase in deaths as “devastating”.
She said: “Last year we saw a positive reduction in the number of deaths caused by alcohol. This sudden increase of 17 per cent is devastating to see and a tragedy for everyone affected.
“It is a stark reminder that we cannot afford to take our eye off the ball where alcohol harm is concerned.”
Telling of her fears that lockdown caused the increase, she said: “Scotland has made good progress in addressing the problems we have with alcohol by introducing policies like minimum unit pricing, which is showing promising results.
“Yet the impact of the pandemic threatens to undermine this progress.
“Many people, particularly heavier drinkers, have reported that they have increased their drinking during the last 18 months.
“The effects are felt most by those living in our poorest communities, who are eight times more likely to die due to alcohol.
“If we are to prevent more people losing their lives to alcohol and to reduce health inequalities, we need to redouble our efforts by reducing the availability of alcohol, restricting its marketing and by uprating minimum unit price.
“Importantly, we also need to make sure that support is available to those who need it now.
“We have recently seen a significant investment in drug treatment in response to the increasing numbers of people who are tragically losing their lives to drugs.
“To reduce the longterm impact of the pandemic this needs to be matched with investment in recovery-oriented alcohol services.”
Scottish Labour said action must be taken now to stop alcoholspecific deaths “spiralling out of control”.
Deputy leader and health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie said: “The sharp rise in alcoholspecific deaths is deeply concerning.
“It’s clear that the pandemic has caused the number of alcohol-related deaths to rise and everything possible must be done to get treatment and rehabilitation services back on track.
“With deaths four times higher in the most deprived areas, it is obvious that action is needed, not only to reduce alcohol-related harm and deaths, but to tackle the underlying causes of alcohol misuse.
“For too long the SNP has failed to properly resource alcohol support services.”
And Scottish Conservative spokeswoman for health Annie Wells said: “It would be a grievous mistake to assume this increase is down to the pandemic alone.
“These statistics confirm fears that alcohol deaths in Scotland are following the same horrific trend as drug deaths.
“Scotland has a real problem with treating addiction that has grown far worse since the SNP came to power.”
We need to make sure support is available to those who need it now ALISON DOUGLAS OF ALCOHOL FOCUS SCOTLAND