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| Drink 'kills twice as many Scots' | Drink 'kills twice as many Scots' |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Men and women in Scotland are twice as likely to die an alcohol-related death as people in the UK as a whole, according to new research. | Men and women in Scotland are twice as likely to die an alcohol-related death as people in the UK as a whole, according to new research. |
| The Office for National Statistics analysed the geographical variations in drink-related death rates in the UK between 1991 and 2004. | The Office for National Statistics analysed the geographical variations in drink-related death rates in the UK between 1991 and 2004. |
| Fifteen of the 20 areas with the highest male alcohol-related death rate were in Scotland. | Fifteen of the 20 areas with the highest male alcohol-related death rate were in Scotland. |
| Glasgow had the highest death rate among men and women from 1998 to 2004. | Glasgow had the highest death rate among men and women from 1998 to 2004. |
| There were 2,372 alcohol-related deaths in Scotland in 2005, an increase of 72% since 1995. | |
| Between 2002 and 2004, the alcohol-related death rate for Scots men was 39.1 per 100,000 of the population, compared with 17.4 across Britain. | Between 2002 and 2004, the alcohol-related death rate for Scots men was 39.1 per 100,000 of the population, compared with 17.4 across Britain. |
| The figure was 15.7 per 100,000 for women in Scotland, compared with 8.1 in the UK as a whole. | The figure was 15.7 per 100,000 for women in Scotland, compared with 8.1 in the UK as a whole. |
| ALCOHOL-RELATED DEATHS Read the full report [868KB] Most computers will open PDF documents automatically, but you may need to download Adobe Reader. Download the reader here | |
| Across Britain, the drink-related death rate for men was double that of females. | Across Britain, the drink-related death rate for men was double that of females. |
| However, the gap between the sexes has widened since 1991. | However, the gap between the sexes has widened since 1991. |
| The death rate for both sexes was highest in the 55 to 74 age group, although the death rate rose most rapidly among 35 to 54-year-olds. | The death rate for both sexes was highest in the 55 to 74 age group, although the death rate rose most rapidly among 35 to 54-year-olds. |
| The Scottish Executive has published a new action plan to tackle alcohol abuse. | The Scottish Executive has published a new action plan to tackle alcohol abuse. |
| The proposals include the extension of a pilot scheme in which under-18s "test purchase" alcohol as part of "sting" operations to catch shopkeepers red-handed. | The proposals include the extension of a pilot scheme in which under-18s "test purchase" alcohol as part of "sting" operations to catch shopkeepers red-handed. |
| The plan also includes the development of a research-based substance misuse school education programme. | The plan also includes the development of a research-based substance misuse school education programme. |
| 'National tragedy' | |
| Shona Robison, the SNP's health spokeswoman, described the statistics as "highly disturbing". | |
| "It's a national tragedy that Scotland's record of alcohol related deaths is now twice as bad as anywhere else in the UK, and that the situation is worsening, not improving," she said. | |
| "It's time to tackle Scotland's binge drinking culture, which is why we support measures to extend the alcohol test purchasing pilot to clamp down on underage drinking. | |
| "We know, however, that we have to examine even tougher measures to turn this distressing situation around." | |
| Scottish Conservative health spokeswoman Dr Nanette Milne said: "These stark statistics are the most visible consequence of the damage that excessive drinking can create - but behind the figures are real lives that have been destroyed and grieving families devastated. | |
| "The education of children about the consequences of underage drinking needs to begin before they are old enough to try and buy alcohol for themselves." |