MSPs across the region have labelled the number of alcohol-related deaths in the region as “heartbreaking” and “preventable.”
It comes after it was revealed alcohol-related death rates in NHS Lanarkshire last year increased 40 per cent from the previous 12 months.
Central Scotland representative Monica Lennon believes our communities need urgent help and said: “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.”
And 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.
“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.”
And Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse MSP, Christina McKelvie added: “Any life lost to alcohol use is a tragedy and the impact on the friends and family of those who have lost their lives is devastating.
“While alcohol consumption has fallen across Scotland we are seeing that those who were already drinking heavily have increased their drinking during lockdown.
“Before the pandemic we had seen a decrease in alcohol-specific deaths of 10 per cent in 2019 and as we move towards a recovery from COVID our focus must be on striving to reach that progress once again.
“The Scottish Government are dedicated to tackling problem drinking and have introduced policies such as minimum unit pricing, which has seen reduced alcohol sales in Scotland, particularly for those who been purchasing the most alcohol. Alongside this the SNP are increasing direct investment in mental health by at least 25 per cent which will help to support those who are struggling with their mental health as a result of their drinking.”
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