By Ross Thomson

Copyright dailyrecord

Almost 200 people living in Lanarkshire lost their lives due to alcohol new figures revealed. According to the National Records of Scotland, there were 1,185 alcohol-specific deaths recorded in the country in 2024 – a decrease of seven per cent compared to 2023. By council area, North Lanarkshire had the second highest number of deaths in Scotland with 101 people, while in South Lanarkshire 75 people lost their lives due to alcohol. Motherwell, Wishaw and Carluke MP Pamela Nash said: “Every death due to alcohol is a tragedy, and my thoughts are with the family and friends of the 1,185 people who sadly passed away in Scotland last year. “While it is welcome news that there has been a decrease in the number of alcohol-specific deaths Scotland-wide, it is concerning that North Lanarkshire has the second highest number of deaths, behind only Glasgow, and South Lanarkshire is in fifth place. “We know that people in the most deprived areas of the country are around twice as likely to die as those in the least deprived areas, and the Scottish Government needs to do more to address this and ensure that the right support is available to those who need it.” The number of deaths caused by alcohol have dropped to their lowest level since 2019 after soaring during the coronavirus pandemic. The impact of social isolation caused by repeated lockdowns has been widely blamed for a spike in reports of problematic drinking in the early 2020s. There were 1,185 alcohol-specific deaths registered in 2024 – a drop of 92 from 2023. But the figure is still the fifth highest in the years since 2008. And despite the introduction of the Scottish Government’s landmark minimum-unit pricing legislation, Scots living in the poorest parts of the country are 4.5 times more likely to drink themselves to death compared to those living in the richest areas. Central Scotland Labour MSP Monica Lennon said: “Every life lost to alcohol is a tragedy. Behind each number is a grieving family in pain. We cannot be complacent. People in our most deprived areas are still dying at much higher rates. “We need urgent action to tackle inequality and ensure rehab and support services are available to everyone who needs them. We need to spend smarter, not just spend more. That means investing in prevention, treatment, and tackling the root causes of harm.” The average age at death has risen over the last decade and stands at 60 years for males and 58 for females. Alison Douglas, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland said: “Despite the welcome drop in deaths from alcohol reported today there is no room for complacency, they still remain appallingly high and more than double the level of 30 years ago. Yet action taken so far hasn’t matched the scale of this crisis. The Scottish Government must do better. “Too often, these deaths are framed solely as the result of addiction. This narrow focus overlooks a much wider reality. Not everyone who dies because of alcohol is dependent or addicted, and many don’t see their drinking as a problem. “Yet, prolonged heavy drinking can cause serious harm, such as liver disease, without any obvious warning.” The charity has previously warned that Government statistic on deaths caused by drinking are likely to hugely underestimate the real total. They say the official figures do not take into account people who are victims of violence, killed in road accidents, heart disease, commit suicide, or die from different cancers. Motherwell and Wishaw SNP MSP Clare Adamson said: “I want to thank all the local services, charities, and frontline workers in North Lanarkshire who are supporting individuals and families affected by alcohol. “These figures represent real lives saved, including in North Lanarkshire and a clear step forward in tackling alcohol-related harm in our communities. Every one of these deaths is a tragedy, and my thoughts are with all those who have lost a loved one. “That said, this seven per cent fall is significant, and I believe it reinforces what international public health experts have said, Minimum Unit Pricing works. “Scotland was the first country in the world to introduce MUP, and the evidence is now clear, it is helping reduce alcohol-related deaths and hospital admissions. While we must remain focused and never complacent, this is a strong sign that we are moving in the right direction.” *Don’t miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here . And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here .