Drink map reveals Scotland’s 10 worst booze hotspots

A damning probe lays bare the worst booze hotspots in Scotland where three people die every day because of easy access to alcohol.

Our map reveals the nation’s 10 most drink-hit areas in terms of easy access and the impact alcohol has on the community.

Using data compiled by health experts, it reveals areas which have access to more than 100 outlets selling alcohol nearby, including pubs and off-licences.

Each of the areas suffers close to 100 or more deaths per 100,000 people a year linked to alcohol consumption.

In each there are huge numbers of people admitted to hospital because of the easy access to cheap drink.

In the worst area, North Leith and Newhaven in Edinburgh, people have access to 109 off-sales and pubs while 184 in every 100,000 lose their lives to alcohol each year.

Campaigners have seized on the findings as clear evidence the Scottish Government needs to introduce minimum pricing.

Dr Evelyn Gillan, Chief Executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, said: “Across the UK, too many people are drinking too much and in Scotland, 21 people are losing their lives because of alcohol every week.

“Action on the affordability and availability of alcohol is essential to reduce the devastating impact on individuals, families and communities.

“We await the introduction of minimum unit pricing which will get rid of the cheap, strong white ciders and vodkas which are often consumed by harmful drinkers. A reduction in consumption will mean less health damage and fewer lives lost.”

Last year, booze was linked with 1,100 deaths in Scotland that’s three a day.

Research by academics at Edinburgh and Glasgow Universities, looked at 6,505 neighbourhoods and compared the number of alcohol outlets in each with the number of alcohol-related hospital visits and deaths recorded there.

It compared areas of similar deprivation and found death rates were more than double in neighbourhoods with the most alcohol-selling outlets compared to those with the fewest.

Using the data, The Sunday Post sorted the statistics to show the areas with the highest rate of alcohol-related deaths.

We identified the first 10 neighbourhoods with 100 or more booze-selling premises.

Top of the list is North Leith and Newhaven in Edinburgh. Alcohol-related hospital visits there are four times the Scottish average.

Next was Cowcaddens, Glasgow, where people can get booze from 211 premises.

Some 154 people per 100,000 die from alcohol-related deaths there every year while its hospital rate is more than five times the Scottish average.

The North and South Inch area of Perth came third in our list. People there can access 116 outlets while there are 119 deaths and hospital visits, almost four times higher than average.

The Calton, Gallowgate and Bridgeton areas of Glasgow come fourth in our list of shame with 168 premises and 117 deaths.

Fifth is the area around Great Junction Street, Edinburgh, where there are 117 booze outlets, as well as 109 deaths.

The remaining areas, listed in order, are Rosemount in Aberdeen, the Merchant City in Glasgow, Anderston in Glasgow, Woodside in Glasgow and the Inch area of Perth east of Scott Street.

Scotland isn’t the only country in Britain suffering problems with alcohol.

Research by Alcohol Concern revealed almost 10 million NHS admissions in England over a year were related to booze.

Dr Elizabeth Richardson, who conducted the study into alcohol availability and harm in Scotland said the problem will be far worse north of the border.

She said: “We know alcohol-related death rates in Scotland are much higher than in the rest of the UK, so the figures could be worse, per capita, than those produced for England by Alcohol Concern.

“The Scottish Government and Local Authorities should take note of both pieces of research if they wish to create healthier, safer and wealthier communities.”

Earlier this month experts for the first time categorically linked the over provision of licensed premises to high rates of illness and deaths.

Researchers found alcohol mortality rates in neighbourhoods with large numbers of licensed premises were almost double compared to those with the fewest.

Experts reckon cutting the number of off-sales stores could have significant health benefits

Last night the Scottish Government said it is committed to a wide range of initiatives, including minimum pricing and working with the public and stakeholders to ensure that the alcohol licensing regime is effective.

Rehab 4 Alcoholism offers a free helpline and intervention service for people suffering from drug and alcohol addiction.

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