Inverclyde men are four times more likely to die of drink than the average UK male.Government figures show the area now ranks second in the country for male alcohol-related death. Only Glasgow has a worse record and the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics show the problem is continuing to rise.
Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil said the area is reaping the grim consequences of generations of alcohol addiction.
He said: “There’s no quick fix. What we’re dealing with is 20 years of alcohol addiction.
“The consequences of our unhealthy relationship with drink are with us — violence on our streets, underage drinking and binge-drinking. It’s still going on and we have to face up to it.”
But he added that there is hope for the future: “We’ve seen that with smoking going down that part of that battle was government action, but it was also that smoking became less socially acceptable.
“Once people come to the opinion that is’s unacceptable to drink and shout and bawl and fight in the street, that is part of the process of solving the problem.”
Pub landlord and Inverclyde health campaigner Ciano Rebecchi says cheap booze and a culture of drinking in Inverclyde is to blame for the current situation.
But he says the Government also needs to do more to help Inverclyde escape its drink death sentence.
Councillor Rebecchi said: “Government keeps telling us what they’re doing about it but what have they done?
“They talk about putting the price of drink up but people still buy it.
“We have got to change the culture here as well, and we got to educate as well.
“The first thing we’ve got to do is make drink is not being sold cheaply.
“We’re in a situation where here in Inverclyde you can by a can of strong drink cheaper than bottled water. That has got to change.”
Inverclyde Council’s alcohol service say action is already being taken to tackle booze addiction.
A spokesperson said: “Through Social Work, we have a dedicated alcohol team that works tirelessly in the community to offer support to those who need it. Since last year they have achieved two COSLA awards for their efforts and held a successful community event in November to raise awareness about addiction.
“We obviously want a healthier Inverclyde and hope more local people realise that help and support for alcohol related problems is available.
Through Inverclyde Alcohol and Drug Forum we will continue to work with partners on this key issue and we would urge those who need support to contact our alcohol service on 715812/3.”
Women in Inverclyde fare slightly better in the booze league of shame. Whilst the area has the second highest level of drink related death in men, the area is the fourth worst for female related death.