Action must be taken now to tackling problem drinking to stop alcohol-specific deaths ‘spiralling further out of control’ in Dumfries and Galloway, according to South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth.

Statistics published on Tuesday have revealed that there were 36 alcohol-specific deaths registered in Dumfries and Galloway in 2022, a 44 per cent increase since 2021. This is the most amount of deaths in the region since the records began in 1979.

Colin Smyth said: “We shouldn’t forget that every one of these numbers represents the loss of someone who was much loved and who leaves behind grieving family and friends. My thoughts are with them.

“Dumfries and Galloway now has the highest numbers of alcohol related deaths recorded in the region since records began, which is really concerning.

“Action is needed to tackle problem drinking to stop these preventable deaths spiralling further out of control. We need to see better access to recovery services to reduce alcohol-related harm and deaths, but also tackle the underlying causes of alcohol misuse.

“These figures come on the back of the recent drug related death statistics and show just how badly we are tackling the health crisis caused by alcohol and drugs.

“For too long the Scottish Government has failed to properly resource alcohol support services and it must implement measures beyond minimum unit pricing, including sensible restrictions on marketing and restoring the cuts made to alcohol treatment budgets, to address Scotland’s problematic and deadly relationship with alcohol.”