A Lanarkshire MSP is calling for urgent action from the Scottish Government after the country recorded the highest number of alcohol-related deaths in 13 years.
Statistics released by the National Records of Scotland showed that there were 1245 alcohol-specific deaths in Scotland in 2021 – 179 of these in the NHS Lanarkshire area.
Labour’s Monica Lennon has consistently called on the Scottish Government to provide better support for people and families affected by alcohol harm since being elected in 2016.
It is an issue close to the MSPs heart following the alcohol-related death of her own father, Gerry Ward, who passed away 12 months before Monica’s election to the Scottish Parliament in 2016.
She told Lanarkshire Live : “I know all too well that behind each of these figures lies heartache and suffering, and my thoughts are with those who have lost their lives and the families and friends they have left behind.
“The loss of a loved one to alcohol-related harm is difficult to bear with so many traumas and what-ifs to carry on top of the grief.
“There is not nearly enough support for people and constituents regularly contact my office begging for help because they don’t know where to turn.
“The SNP was warned time and time again that funding cuts to alcohol and drug partnerships would lead to an increase in deaths, and sadly that is exactly what has happened.
“The recovery community lives by the mantra ‘one day at a time’ and I remain hopeful that the Scottish Government, all political parties and key organisations will work together to implement the right changes to ensure that vital, life-saving support is immediately available to all who need it.”
“I don’t want other families to lose a loved one in this way.”
Public Health Minister Maree Todd said the Scottish Government are working on initiatives that will support communities across Scotland to address harmful and hazardous alcohol consumption.
She added: “No-one should die as a result of alcohol consumption, and my thoughts go out to all family and loved ones affected.
“These figures show that Scotland continues to have a problematic relationship with alcohol, and we are determined to do all we can to address that.
“The introduction of minimum unit pricing has helped reduce alcohol sales to their lowest on record, but we are determined to do even more to tackle the scale of alcohol-specific deaths.”
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