Scotland faces criticism for ignoring alcohol deaths while prioritising drug crisis

Charities and health specialists have criticised the Scottish government for neglecting the country's alcohol-related death toll, which recently surpassed drug fatalities. John Swinney was urged to treat grieving families with the same urgency applied to the drug crisis, while Alcohol Focus Scotland and SHAAP argued that existing policies are outdated and under-funded. Audit Scotland warned that the emphasis on drug harm has diverted attention from alcohol, despite more than double the deaths from drinking compared with three decades ago.

Calls were made for an updated prevention strategy covering minimum-unit pricing, advertising bans and licensing reforms. Minister Maree Todd pointed to over £160 million in funding and a pending Alcohol Harm Prevention plan, but critics say concrete steps are still lacking.