Deaths caused by alcohol misuse have reached a record level in Wales.
According to Public Health Wales’ annual report for substance misuse, there were 562 alcohol-specific deaths in 2023 — 15.6 per cent more than the previous year. The majority (64.8 per cent) of those who died were male.
A Welsh Government spokesperson reported that it is consulting with health boards to ensure that there are a range of services to tackle substance misuse.
‘Destructive’
Speaking to BBC Radio Wales Breakfast, former police officer Eurwyn Thomas explained that he has been separated from his children for “many, many years” due to his “rampant” alcoholism.
Thomas said he developed a “massive problem” when he struggled to balance work with his personal life and it “all came crashing down”.
“Not only did it destroy my life, having been three years sober now, I can see that it not only destroyed mine but it destroyed the lives of many, many others, that I was around at the time”.
He emphasised: “So this is what happens when you let alcohol take over your life because everything will come crashing down.”
Drugs
According to the Public Health Wales report, drug-related deaths also rose 18.6 per cent in 2023 to a record high of 253.
But North Wales Police reported earlier this year that some addicts are struggling to get hold of illegal substances, after officers targeted drug gangs in a deprived area of Rhyl.
Chief Inspector Dave Cust said: “Many drug users want to finish with drugs and it’s an important part of this project that we’re also supporting them and putting them in touch with the right people to get them off the drugs.”
Since April, police have conducted 35 raids, made 180 arrests and seen crime fall by 14 per cent in Rhyl West.
Over 1,500 babies in Scotland born with drug or alcohol addiction