Council leaders have called for a 'concerted approach' to tackling alcohol dependency after figures showed the number of deaths caused by alcohol has hit a record high.
Figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show all English regions saw an increase in the rate of alcohol-specific death last year.
There were 9,641 alcohol-related deaths in 2021, the highest number on record.
'The number of alcohol-related deaths are stark, and we know the underlying causes are complex,' said Cllr David Fothergill, chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board. 'Alcohol misuse is the biggest risk factor for death, ill-health and disability among 15-49 year olds in the UK, and the fifth biggest risk factor across all ages.
'We know there is still a huge amount of unmet need, with more than half a million adults estimated to have alcohol dependency needing specialist treatment. A high proportion are living in the most deprived areas.'
