MSPs left heart broken by sad stats they insist are totally‘preventable’
MSPs across the region have labelled the number of alcohol-related deaths in the region as“heartbreaking”and “preventable.”
Central Scotland representative Monica Lennon believes our communities need urgent help and said:“Behind these tragic statistics are real people who deserved access to treatment and support.
“Alcohol-related deaths are preventable; however, we are sadly seeing a postcode lottery in terms of access to vital healthcare and ongoing support.
“People are being failed by the system when they most need it, and my constituents in Lanarkshire are paying a heavy price for this.
“We must look beyond the numbers and recognise that every alcohol-related death is a story of struggle and trauma in the lives of real people and families. Help is simply not reaching those who need it most.
“Alcohol misuse is a serious public health emergency in Scotland and on behalf of my constituents in Lanarkshire, I will be demanding a detailed plan from the Scottish Government to get a grip on this crisis before more lives are lost.
“Our local health boards and frontline services must have the right resources to help people access treatment and recovery.”
Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey said the latest figures were“heartbreaking”and added:“It is a sad reality that many of us will have known someone who has lost their lives to the harms of alcohol over the years.
“These recent figures in South Lanarkshire and Scotland are concerning and equally heart-breaking.
“A report from the University of Sheffield into how lockdown impacted alcohol consumption in Scotland and England found that while people drank less overall, there is evidence from studies that heavier drinkers may have increased their consumption in lockdown.
“Over recent years, the Scottish Government has taken action to reduce consumption by introducing minimum unit pricing and have banned multi-buy discounts and irresponsible drinks promotions.
“Additionally, in 2021-22 the Scottish Government will invest £145.3 million funding for alcohol and drugs – an increase of £70m from 2019-20.”
Collette Stevenson, MSP for East Kilbride, added:“These figures do make for difficult reading.
“They show alcohol-related deaths increased sharply whilst overall intake reduced for the third consecutive year in a row. In
2019 we saw alcohol-related deaths fall 10 per cent because of the first full year of minimum unit pricing. “The pandemic has, of course, had an impact and we can see from the figures that mortality increased disproportionately around the period of lockdown and stricter Covid-19 measures. “Whilst many people who class themselves as heavier drinkers reported they increased their drinking during the last 18 months, it’s interesting to note many moderate drinkers reduced their intake or even gave up alcohol altogether. “Deaths in Scotland have followed a similar pattern to the rest of the UK.
“We can’t allow the pandemic to undo progress made in recent years and I am glad to see the Scottish Government working with other organisations to return services to pre-pandemic levels as quickly as possible. “I understand additional funding has been made available to outreach initiatives to identify people at risk, address their immediate health concerns, and get them the support they need.”