Alcohol Related Deaths Rocket in Northern Ireland

Following the figures released today that show that the number of alcohol-related deaths in Northern Ireland is the highest on record, SDLP Health Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA has said that we need to raise awareness of the pitfalls of alcohol misuse and abuse.

Image: Mark H Durkan MLA 

SDLP Health Spokesperson, Mark H Durkan MLA said:

“The recent figures surrounding alcohol-related deaths here are extremely concerning. Alcohol misuse has been identified as a significant public health and social issue in Northern Ireland over many years but the fact that alcohol-related deaths are at an all-time high, highlights the glaring failures within our health service.

“These statistics serve as a stark reminder of the crippling effects of alcohol on individuals, families and society in Northern Ireland. Sadly, we see the cost of alcohol abuse and addiction everyday: the cost to individuals' health; the huge financial cost to our struggling health service; and the massive societal, human cost of family breakdown and even homelessness.

“We as a society need to wake up to alcoholism in the city and our ‘drinking culture’. People need to challenge their perceptions of what alcoholism looks like – in many cases it is hidden behind closed doors. We need to promote safe drinking and raise awareness of the pitfalls of not drinking sensibly.

“Political parties here had all agreed on the benefits of minimum unit pricing however, in the absence of an Assembly this cannot be progressed.”

ABC Note: The Social Democratic and Labour Party is a social-democratic and Irish nationalist political party in Northern Ireland. Between 2001 and 2016, more than 3,500 deaths in Northern Ireland were attributed to alcohol.

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