67 alcohol-related deaths in Forth Valley last year

67 people lost their life due to alcohol across the Forth Valley last year.

12 deaths were registered in Clackmannanshire, 19 were recorded in Stirling, and 36 people in Falkirk lost their life.

Data from the National Records of Scotland shows there were 1,185 alcohol-specific deaths registered in Scotland in 2024.

That's down 7% from 2023.

Phillipa Haxton, Head of Vital Events Statistics, said:

“The number of alcohol-specific deaths decreased by 7% in 2024 compared with the previous year. This is the lowest figure since 2019, before the pandemic.

“The average age at death has risen over the last decade and is now 60 years for males and 58 for females.”

Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister Maree Todd said:

“Behind every number is a person and my heartfelt condolences go out to those affected by the loss of a loved one through alcohol.

“It is welcome to see the number of deaths at the lowest level since 2019 and we are continuing to work closely with local Alcohol and Drugs Partnerships (ADPs) and other stakeholders to provide targeted, person-centred support, backed by record levels of funding of around £160 million this year.

“However, while we are making progress on tackling the harms caused by alcohol, we cannot become complacent.

“This is a public health priority and we are continuing to channel our energy towards reducing alcohol harm further. There is still a lot of work to be done to save and improve lives.

“Research commended by internationally renowned public health experts has estimated that our world-leading Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) policy has saved hundreds of lives and is likely to have averted hundreds of alcohol-attributable hospital admissions.”