Eastwood MSP, Jackson Carlaw has raised serious concerns about the number of alcohol related deaths in the health board region covering his constituency.
Figures released by National Records of Scotland show that 323 people within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde lost their lives to alcohol in 2023 – the highest out of all health boards.
The data highlights that the total number of deaths attributed to alcohol throughout Scotland over the course of 2023 was 1,277.
Since 2007, there have been 5,422 alcohol related deaths in Greater Glasgow and Clyde and this is also the highest for any health board.
The total for Scotland from 2007 to 2023 is more than 19,000 meaning the Glasgow region accounts for over a quarter of deaths thought to be caused by alcohol.
Mr Carlaw has said that the SNP Government must now back the Scottish Conservatives Right to Recovery Bill.
The Right to Recovery Bill has been supported by frontline experts and it would enshrine a right in law to treatment for anyone living in Greater Glasgow and Clyde and across Scotland who is struggling with alcohol addiction.
Scottish Conservative MSP for Eastwood, Jackson Carlaw said:
“The number of deaths in Scotland from alcohol are at their highest level in 15 years and this is a horrifying development.
“Greater Glasgow and Clyde has the largest number of deaths in the country and the amount of people whose lives have been lost to alcohol is disgracefully high.
“Behind these figures are families grieving the loss of a loved one and my thoughts are with them.
“The latest reported appalling level of deaths in Greater Glasgow and Clyde for 2023 should be the catalyst to ensure the Right to Recovery Bill makes it on to the statute book.
“If passed into law, this vital piece of legislation would ensure that every person who lives in Eastwood’s health board region could receive the support they need for alcohol addiction including residential rehabilitation.”
