‘Sad and troubling’: Highlands sees 17% increase in alcohol-specific deaths
THE 17 per cent increase in Highland alcohol-specific deaths have been described as “very sad and troubling” by a local MSP.
As outlined earlier this week by the National Records of Scotland covering alcohol-specific deaths, Scotland saw a 7 per cent decrease in registered alcohol-specific deaths in 2024 compared to 2023.
However, the Highlands saw an increase in alcohol-specific deaths for this same period — rising from 53 deaths, to 62.
These figures kept the Highlands as the Scottish council area with the 6th highest alcohol-specific death rates, with the likes of Glasgow City and North Lanarkshire ranking highest on the list.
A Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership (HADP) spokesperson responded to the new statistics, stating: “[We] are deeply saddened by the latest statistics, showing a 17 per cent increase in alcohol-specific deaths in Highland, with deaths increasing from 53 in 2024 to 62 in 2024. In 2022, the number of alcohol-specific deaths in Highland was 66. Our thoughts are with all families and friends affected by alcohol-specific deaths. It is tragic that the lives of people in Highland, and across Scotland, have ended prematurely. We acknowledge that more needs to be done to reduce the number of deaths and support people to recover.”
HADP is a multi-agency strategic partnership whose purpose is to achieve improved outcomes for individuals, families and communities by preventing and reducing drug and alcohol-related harm in the Highlands. They are responsible for setting the overarching alcohol and drugs strategy and action plan for the region.
The spokesperson continued: “In the Highlands, there has been a steady trend of alcohol-specific deaths over the past twenty years. The link between alcohol harm and poverty is stark, with people who experienced an alcohol death in Highland being 20 times more likely to have lived in the most deprived areas than the least deprived (2019-2023).
“HADP encourages everyone that drinks alcohol to be mindful of the number of units they consume. The low-risk alcohol guidance advises that for all adults it is safest not to regularly drink more than 14 units of alcohol per week. If having 14 units per week, it is advised to spread this evenly over three or more days, and have several alcohol free days per week. The advice is to also avoid alcohol if you are pregnant or trying for a baby, to avoid risk of harm. Count14.scot website is a useful source of information with an alcohol calculator and suggestions of how to cut down – any reduction in alcohol reduces the harm.
“Everyone has a role to play in reducing alcohol-specific deaths. Tackling stigma and discrimination, which often acts as barriers to treatment, is something we can all do by using People First language and demonstrating kindness, compassion and hope towards people and families affected by alcohol problems. September is Recovery Month, and a timely reminder that people can and do recover, and there’s support available for this. If you are worried about your own or another person’s alcohol use find options of support on the HADP website; Directory of Services — Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership.
“HADP works with partners and recognises collective action towards addressing alcohol related harm in Highland. We will continue improvements in collaboration, and to bring individuals, families, and partner agencies together to continue to achieve better outcomes. As a partnership, our new strategic plan to further address harms will be published shortly. The plan has been informed by a Health Needs Assessment, including insight from people with lived experience of problem alcohol and drug use.
“We also recognise the media’s crucial role in challenging stigma through compassionate reporting and sharing stories of hope from people with lived experience to foster hope. Compassion supports recovery.”
The report from the National Records of Scotland also revealed an increase in age-standardised mortality rate per 100,000 of alcohol-specific deaths in remote rural areas, rising from 13.7 to 15.3 between 2023 and 2024. Accessible small towns also saw a slight increase for this category, rising from 19.6 to 19.7.
However, this category also saw a significant drop for remote small towns, decreasing from 28.7 to 21.3.
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MP Jamie Stone said: “Compared to many other MPs, I have had a long working life completely outside of politics. During my life, I have seen too many people - including close friends - who have lost their lives to alcoholism. Any person from any walk of life can struggle with addiction. It is an obvious case of life and death, but it also damages family life and relationships in a way that makes its consequences long term and far-reaching.
“The rise in alcohol related deaths is worrying to say the least. You couple this with the drug-related deaths in Scotland and it is clear that the Scottish Government needs to sit up and take this seriously. I want to see the Scottish Government take real action on this issue prior to the election next year. Across all parts of Scotland, for that matter — and not just in areas pandering to their dwindling support base.”
MSP for Inverness and Nairn, Fergus Ewing added: “These are very sad and troubling statistics and show how serious the abuse of alcohol in the Highlands remains, despite apparent modest progress elsewhere in Scotland.
“It underlines the need for treatment and help for those who will take it.”
To read the full report, visit: www.nrscotland.gov.uk/publications/alcohol-specific-deaths-2024/