Today (18 December) Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency published the ‘Alcohol-Specific Deaths in Northern Ireland, 2023’ report revealing statistics on Northern Ireland alcohol-specific mortality in 2023.
The East Antrim MLA said: “The statistics in this report, presenting the alarming increase in alcohol-specific deaths in Northern Ireland, causes serious concern. Time and again Alliance has called for measures to be introduced to tackle the harmful effects of alcohol and save lives.
“During the last 10 years alcohol-specific deaths have risen by a frightening 65 per cent, and since 2019 the number of alcohol-specific deaths in NI’s most deprived areas was almost four times higher than in the least deprived areas. These statistics demonstrate a dangerous growing trend and highlight the urgent need to develop policies to address these issues.
“We need to see the implementation of minimum unit alcohol pricing and a comprehensive strategy for addressing alcohol-related health issues in Northern Ireland. We are the only part of the United Kingdom without minimum unit pricing, and while it isn’t a silver bullet, it has been shown to make a positive difference to alcohol-related ill-health and mortality in other jurisdictions.
“In addition, a public health approach, with emphasis on education and information about alcohol use and dependency, will make a big difference, along with steps to address the complex connections between issues such as addiction, mental health and poverty. It is also vital increased access to treatment and support are available to those already experiencing alcohol dependency and related challenges, alongside preventative measures.
“Time is running on, and every year more lives are lost. It’s time we took action to tackle the dangerous effects of alcohol and caught NI up with the rest of the UK.”
The East Antrim MLA said: “The statistics in this report, presenting the alarming increase in alcohol-specific deaths in Northern Ireland, causes serious concern. Time and again Alliance has called for measures to be introduced to tackle the harmful effects of alcohol and save lives.
“During the last 10 years alcohol-specific deaths have risen by a frightening 65 per cent, and since 2019 the number of alcohol-specific deaths in NI’s most deprived areas was almost four times higher than in the least deprived areas. These statistics demonstrate a dangerous growing trend and highlight the urgent need to develop policies to address these issues.
“We need to see the implementation of minimum unit alcohol pricing and a comprehensive strategy for addressing alcohol-related health issues in Northern Ireland. We are the only part of the United Kingdom without minimum unit pricing, and while it isn’t a silver bullet, it has been shown to make a positive difference to alcohol-related ill-health and mortality in other jurisdictions.
“In addition, a public health approach, with emphasis on education and information about alcohol use and dependency, will make a big difference, along with steps to address the complex connections between issues such as addiction, mental health and poverty. It is also vital increased access to treatment and support are available to those already experiencing alcohol dependency and related challenges, alongside preventative measures.
“Time is running on, and every year more lives are lost. It’s time we took action to tackle the dangerous effects of alcohol and caught NI up with the rest of the UK.”