Warning over Scottish and Irish drinkers

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by Change | 20 Mar 2009

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New research has suggested that Scottish and Irish drinkers are more at risk of drink-related death than Welsh or English people in the UK, suggesting the countries need more rehab clinics to provide addiction treatment.

The UK could benefit from having more rehab clinics to provide Scottish and Irish people in particular with alcohol addiction treatment, a new survey has suggested.

The study from the University of Edinburgh and the Office for National Statistics revealed that Scottish and Irish people were more likely to suffer drink-related deaths than their Welsh or English counterparts.

By putting more resources into the development of rehab clinics, the UK could help to reduce the number of people with alcohol addictions and cut the number dying as a result of their problem.

According to the research, men born in India and now living in England had similar death rates from alcohol problems as Irish men living in England.

Neeraj Bhala, who led the study, warned: "Deaths from alcohol-related conditions, liver disease and liver cancer are increasing in the UK."

He continued: "We now need to focus on developing new policy, research and practical action to help address these differences."

The UK government's chief medical officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, recently announced proposals to introduce a minimum price for alcoholic drinks in a move to tackle alcohol addictions and binge drinking.

However, prime minister Gordon Brown refused to back the scheme, pointing out the government would not punish the "responsible majority" for the excesses of the few.

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