Dying for a drink on the wrong side of poverty divide

Published on Wednesday 7 January 2009 09:25

A STARK link between poverty and alcoholism is today revealed in a new health map detailing drink- related deaths across Edinburgh.

A five-year analysis of alcohol-related deaths in the city has shown that by far the most victims live in the poorest areas of the city.

On average, 24 people a year die in Craigmillar as a result of alcoholism, with 20 deaths recorded annually in North Leith and Newhaven, and Bonnington and Pilrig.

By comparison, no deaths linked to alcohol abuse were recorded in Comiston and Swanston, Currie East, Braids, Clerwood and Corstorphine or Parkhead between 2002 and 2006.

Experts and politicians today said more had to be done in deprived areas to stem a reliance on alcohol.

The figures were compiled and released by the Scottish Public Health Observatory.

There were 587 deaths from alcohol across Edinburgh in the last five years, which although below the overall Scottish average, is still on the rise.

Areas with a high number of deaths because of drink include Clovenstone and Drumbryden (18); Southside and Canongate (17); Muirhouse (15); Great Junction Street (14) and Clermiston (12). Places such as Oxgangs, Gracemount and Willowbrae also featured highly on the charts.

Rising rates of liver cancer, strokes, heart attacks and even domestic abuse are all blamed on a dependence on alcohol.

Licensing leader Councillor Marjorie Thomas, whose Leith ward includes some of the areas near the top of the table, said: "Awareness is the name of the game.

"Every study, not just in Edinburgh or even Scotland, finds that those with less money are more likely to drink.

There's no quick fix to this, but a lot of work is going on in those poorer communities to try and help the situation."

The 62 people who died from liver cancer last year was the highest number since records began in 1980, while nationally domestic abuse – a large factor of which is alcohol-fuelled – is up.

Peter Gabbitas, chair of the Drug and Alcohol Action Team – a partnership between the city council and NHS Lothian – said more services and support would continue to be provided in a bid to reduce the figures.

He added: "My priority is to continue highlighting the issues our city has with alcohol and to expand services available to those struggling with drink problems, particularly in the communities that suffer most."

Dave Hewitt, project co-ordinator with the Pilton Community Health Project, said the relationship between poverty and poor health was unwavering.

An average of 13 people a year die in Pilton from alcoholism, as well as ten in Waterfront and Granton. These are two of the city's poorest areas.

Mr Hewitt said: "There is a link between poor health and poverty and it's all to do with life circumstances, study after study has shown that. The increasing gap between rich and poor exacerbates that."

Last month, the Evening News revealed how life expectancy among men and women in some parts of the city is worse than that in Iraq. Those statistics showed that a baby born in the wealthiest areas of Edinburgh can expect to live 26 years longer than those born in the poorest. In Niddrie, for example, men, on average, live to only 61 – seven years less than Iraqi men. At the other end of the scale, women in Barnton are reaching 90.

Labour's health spokeswoman in the city, Cllr Lesley Hinds, said a change in the entire culture is required.

"We need to get rid of the idea that drinking huge amounts is all a great laugh, while pointing out that it still is okay to have a drink."

Cllr Gordon Munro, whose Leith ward includes several areas in the worst 24 in the Capital, said while the situation was desperate, there were signs that a corner is being turned.

He said: "We know hospital admissions from Leith are twice the rate of the rest of the city, and admissions because of alcohol are far higher than other drugs.

"We need both short and long-term measures to deal with it. It will take years, but there are some projects making a difference.

"The Junction in Leith recently made a DVD about how alcohol affects the life of youngsters, and there are signs from the work there that attitudes among youngsters are slowly changing."

Those areas in which the average number of annual deaths was less than ten did not list the exact figure, to protect the identity of those who had passed away.

NHS Lothian has a range of projects to combat drinking among all populations, including a new feature on its website which is a drinks calculator, allowing users to see exactly how many units they consume.

The much lauded LEEP project also offers help to alcoholics, and the health board has many alcohol awareness campaigns under its belt.

Average alcohol-related deaths per-year

Greendykes and Niddrie Mains - 24

North Leith and Newhaven - 20

Bonnington and Pilrig - 20

Clovenstone and Drumbryden - 18

Southside and Cannongate - 17

Muirhouse - 15

Great Junction Street - 14

Gracemount, Southside and Burdiehouse - 14

Calders - 14

Willowbrae and Duddingston Village - 14

West Pilton - 13

Oxgangs and Firrhill - 13

Niddrie - 13

Clermiston - 12

Dalry and Fountainbridge - 12

Lorne - 12

Gorgie East - 11

Stenhouse - 11

Drylaw - 11

Waterfront and Granton - 10

Bingham and Magdalene - 10

Broomhouse and Sighthill - 10

Tollcross - 10

Old Town and Leith Street - 10

587 alcohol-related deaths in the last 5 years

FAMILIES ARE NOT ALONE

A GROUP supporting families of alcoholics anonymously is to meet in the Capital next month.

Al-Anon Family Groups – an organisation which works across the world with those whose lives have been ruined by another's drinking – will meet at the St Bride's Centre on Orwell Terrace on February 3 between 7pm and 9pm.

Several current members will share their experiences with the group, to which new members are urged to come along.

A spokeswoman said: "Anonymity is the basis of trust which makes our programme possible."

For more information, phone [phone].