Government must invest in alcohol treatment services

The government must start investing in treatment services to
stem a dramatic rise in the number of alcohol-related deaths,
campaigners have warned, writes Maria
Ahmed.

Figures from the Office of National Statistics made public last
week show that alcohol-related deaths rose by almost 50 per cent in
some parts of Britain over the past five years.

The total number rose from 5,525 in 2000 to 6,544 in 2004. The
biggest increase was in Yorkshire and the Humber, which recorded a
46 per cent rise from 428 deaths in 2000 to 627 last year,
according to the figures given in a parliamentary written
answer.

Charity Turning Point claimed the figures showed that the
provision of services depended on a ‘postcode
lottery’.
 
Richard Kramer, its head of policy, said: “The chronic lack
of investment in treatment services is scandalous. The government
must start grappling with a major social problem that is killing
thousands of people every year.”