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Coroner warns after drink deaths | Coroner warns after drink deaths |
(10 minutes later) | |
More needs to be done to prevent the rise in the number of people dying from alcohol abuse, a coroner has warned. | More needs to be done to prevent the rise in the number of people dying from alcohol abuse, a coroner has warned. |
North West Wales coroner Dewi Pritchard Jones said the UK Government and assembly government were tackling drug problems when alcohol abuse was worse. | North West Wales coroner Dewi Pritchard Jones said the UK Government and assembly government were tackling drug problems when alcohol abuse was worse. |
He made his comments after inquests into three alcohol-related deaths. | He made his comments after inquests into three alcohol-related deaths. |
The assembly government said alcohol issues would be "at the heart" of a 10-year substance misuse strategy, which would be launched shortly. | The assembly government said alcohol issues would be "at the heart" of a 10-year substance misuse strategy, which would be launched shortly. |
Mr Pritchard Jones made his comments after three out of the five inquests he held in Dolgellau involved deaths in which alcohol was a contributory factor. | Mr Pritchard Jones made his comments after three out of the five inquests he held in Dolgellau involved deaths in which alcohol was a contributory factor. |
People are killing themselves by drinking too much alcohol - that message has to get through Dewi Pritchard Jones, coroner | People are killing themselves by drinking too much alcohol - that message has to get through Dewi Pritchard Jones, coroner |
He returned a verdict of death caused by alcohol cardiomyopathy on Victoria Egginton-Groves from Tywyn, Gwynedd. | He returned a verdict of death caused by alcohol cardiomyopathy on Victoria Egginton-Groves from Tywyn, Gwynedd. |
A post mortem examination had revealed the cause of death was long term alcohol abuse. | A post mortem examination had revealed the cause of death was long term alcohol abuse. |
Returning a verdict of suicide on Dafydd Alwyn Owen, 34, of Llanuwchllyn, who was found hanged in a barn, Mr Pritchard Jones said Mr Owen would get depressed after drinking. | Returning a verdict of suicide on Dafydd Alwyn Owen, 34, of Llanuwchllyn, who was found hanged in a barn, Mr Pritchard Jones said Mr Owen would get depressed after drinking. |
Glyn Jones-Roberts, 69, had been found dead at the foot of stairs at his home in Blaenau Ffestiniog. | Glyn Jones-Roberts, 69, had been found dead at the foot of stairs at his home in Blaenau Ffestiniog. |
Pathologist Dr Anthony Caslin said the alcohol content in Mr Jones-Roberts's blood was three times the legal drink-drive limit. | |
'Risky use' | 'Risky use' |
Mr Pritchard Jones said: "There are joint health forums discussing the issues of alcohol abuse and their concerns have to be tackled nationally. | Mr Pritchard Jones said: "There are joint health forums discussing the issues of alcohol abuse and their concerns have to be tackled nationally. |
"People are killing themselves by drinking too much alcohol. That message has to get through," he added. | "People are killing themselves by drinking too much alcohol. That message has to get through," he added. |
A Welsh Assembly Government spokesman said: "Tackling the harm caused by alcohol is at the heart of a new 10-year substance misuse strategy to be launched shortly. | A Welsh Assembly Government spokesman said: "Tackling the harm caused by alcohol is at the heart of a new 10-year substance misuse strategy to be launched shortly. |
"It will be backed by an extra £9.6m over the next three years taking the total amount to over £27m a year by 2010. | "It will be backed by an extra £9.6m over the next three years taking the total amount to over £27m a year by 2010. |
"We recognise that the harmful use of alcohol in Wales is far more widespread than that of illicit drugs or other substances." | "We recognise that the harmful use of alcohol in Wales is far more widespread than that of illicit drugs or other substances." |
He said there would be a greater focus "on the distinctive issues" caused by the "inappropriate or risky use" of alcohol, underpinned by an alcohol action plan. | He said there would be a greater focus "on the distinctive issues" caused by the "inappropriate or risky use" of alcohol, underpinned by an alcohol action plan. |
This would be backed up by an additional £3m over the next three years to help deliver it. | This would be backed up by an additional £3m over the next three years to help deliver it. |
The spokesman said the strategy would look at four key areas: | The spokesman said the strategy would look at four key areas: |
It would also encourage an enforcement of current legislation around drink-driving and "managing" streets in towns and cities in the evening. | It would also encourage an enforcement of current legislation around drink-driving and "managing" streets in towns and cities in the evening. |
The assembly government would also press for stricter rules on the promotion of alcohol, an increase in taxation and a reduction in the drink-drive limit. | The assembly government would also press for stricter rules on the promotion of alcohol, an increase in taxation and a reduction in the drink-drive limit. |
Meanwhile, Ian Shannon, North Wales Police's assistant chief constable, called for the drink-drive limit to be cut, saying the UK had fallen behind other European countries. | Meanwhile, Ian Shannon, North Wales Police's assistant chief constable, called for the drink-drive limit to be cut, saying the UK had fallen behind other European countries. |
Writing on his blog, he said the force kept a "rigorous approach" to breath tests all year round, which had succeeded as a deterrent. | Writing on his blog, he said the force kept a "rigorous approach" to breath tests all year round, which had succeeded as a deterrent. |
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