County drinking itself to death

New report paints shocking picture of alcohol culture

Shocking statistics have revealed the number of alcoholrelated deaths across Lanarkshire is the highest in the region for a decade.

New figures from the National Records of Scotland show that six of the seven health authorities, including NHS Lanarkshire, which slashed funding for problem drinking were among the worst hit.

The seven organisations cut spending on Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPS) by around £700,000, with NHS Lanarkshire reducing its spending by 10 per cent – more than any other health board.

NHS Lanarkshire subsequently experienced a 14 per cent year-on-year increase in alcohol-related deaths from 186 in 2015 to 212 last year, which was the highest in 10 years.

The figures exclude suicides and accidental deaths where alcohol may have played a part.

Nationally alcoholrelated deaths rose 10 per cent to 1265 last year, the highest figure in Scotland for six years.

NHS Lanarkshire claim initiatives are under way to improve the alcoholrelated deaths statistics.

Bobby Miller, chair of the Lanarkshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership (LADP), said: “The overall plans to tackle drug and alcohol issues in Lanarkshire are undertaken by us in a multi-agency way through partnership working.

“Among the members of the LADP are NHS Lanarkshire, North and South Lanarkshire councils, North and South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnerships, Police Scotland, the third sector and Scottish Fire and Rescue.

“Members work together to agree investment and funding packages which enable the LADP to maintain the range and quality of services that are currently in place across Lanarkshire.”

He continued: “Part of the remit of the LADP is to assist and report to the government on how all partners provide support to individuals with alcohol and/or drug problems by helping them overcome their difficulties and think about how they may achieve better, safer and healthier lives in ways that best address their own circumstances.

“A major focus of this work is to promote prevention to help reduce the level of alcohol and drug-related harm at a community level as well as helping those who need personal assistance with substance misuse issues so they can recover and live productive lives.

“We are encouraged that the most recent alcohol consumption figures across Scotland show that within Lanarkshire levels of drinking were falling, with fewer people exceeding weekly drinking guidelines.

“Similarly the 201617 Scottish Government target on figures for delivering alcohol brief interventions also showed that Lanarkshire reached over 130 per cent of its target.”

A major focus of our work is to promote prevention to help reduce the level of alcohol and drug-related harm Bobby Miller