Deaths from alcohol in Scotland at 14 year high as campaigners warn of 'crushing' health crisis

Campaigners have reacted with anger after annual deaths from alcohol in Scotland reached their highest level in 14 years.Official figures published today showed 1,276 people died from problem drinking last year - an increase of 31 more than the previous year.The poorest Scots were more than four times more likely to die because of alcohol than those in the least deprived areas.The majority of deaths in 2022 were recorded in men, with 836 deaths logged.Opposition parties accused the Scottish Government of being "asleep at the wheel" on the issue and failing to fund treatment services to adequate levels.Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, chair of the Alcohol Health Alliance UK, said: "The crushing news that the number of people who lost their lives to alcohol in Scotland has risen again is a grave reminder that we are in the midst of a public health crisis with alcohol. "Each of one of the 1,276 deaths was entirely preventable and presents a tragic loss for the loved ones and communities left behind."Dr Alastair MacGilchrist, chair of Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems, called for the minimum unit price (MUP) of alcohol to be increased as a priority."Scotland is facing an ongoing crisis with alcohol which requires urgent attention," he said. "We simply cannot continue to accept this level of avoidable alcohol harm as the Scottish reality."The Scottish Government must do more to ensure that this level of harm does not continue.

It is essential that our Government addresses this public health emergency with the appropriate urgency and priority."It is vital that policies such as MUP remain in place to continue to reduce alcohol-related harms.