Alcohol deaths at record high in North West borough

Data showed an estimated 4,250 Sefton residents were dependent drinkers

Record numbers of people are dying from drink-related causes in a north west of England borough.

New data shows deaths relating to alcohol in Sefton, Merseyside, are up by a third since the Covid pandemic, with the borough having the sixth highest number in the UK.

In 2022 67 people died from alcohol, which equates to nearly 24 people per 100,000.

In the under 18s bracket, the figure goes up to 71 per 100,000.

Equivalent figures for Wirral, Liverpool and Knowsley fell.

Sefton councillor Mhairi Doyle has spoken about her experience with alcohol dependency

The Office for National Statistic data showed an estimated 4,250 Sefton residents are dependent drinkers, but only around 16% of them are in treatment.

A report in November 2022 warned 25% of Sefton’s adult population had increased risk of harm through excess alcohol consumption.

Alcohol-specific deaths only include those health conditions where each death is a direct consequence of alcohol, such as alcoholic liver disease.

'Every death is a tragedy'

Dr Richard Piper, Chief Executive of Alcohol Change UK, said each alcohol-related death was "a tragedy".

He said the government had the "responsibility and the power to put preventative measures in place, including proper regulation of alcohol marketing, clearer alcohol labelling, and a minimum price for a unit of alcohol".

A Department of Health representative said the government was working to prevent alcohol deaths by giving "clear and accurate advice" about the risks of drinking above guidelines.

A 10-year alcohol and drug strategy, supported by £532m, is also helping up to 54,500 more people receive drug and alcohol treatment.

In January Sefton councillor Mhairi Doyle spoke about her own experiences with alcohol dependency to raise awareness.

“With support, I’ve broken the cycle of alcoholism within my family," she said.

“Recovery is not easy but it can be done. People can look at me. Things can change. I am change.”

The Labour councillor for Norwood ward is currently working with Sefton Council as it calls on the government to establish a National Alcohol Strategy create further support and treatment for the borough’s dependent drinkers.