Inverclyde drug and alcohol deaths are a 'health emergency'

Drug and alcohol deaths: Councillor Jackson calls for action on tackling poverty (Image: George Munro)

Colin Jackson who represents those living in the poorest ward in Scotland - where people are SIXTEEN TIMES more likely to lose their lives to addiction - says that failure to do so is a tragedy in itself.

His calls come following the recent release of figures showing drug deaths in Inverclyde had jumped to 29 - one of the highest increases in the country - while elsewhere there was a decline.

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A week later it was revealed that another 28 people had lost their lives to alcohol, putting Inverclyde's rate as the highest in the country over the last five years.

Councillor Jackson, former social work and social care convenor, criticised the Scottish Government for ploughing money into harm reduction services instead of rehab centres such as Greenock's Jericho House.

And he has again warned that there must be investment in areas of high deprivation, such as Greenock's east end and town centre in order to bring an end to social inequality.

Councillor Colin Jackson, who represents Inverclyde East Central, said: "If these deaths had been from any other social group, we would have declared a health emergency and yet we haven’t, which in itself is a tragedy.

"Inverclyde’s drug and alcohol crisis is the result of historic and ongoing poverty and inequality, long-term unemployment, a punitive benefit system, poor housing and an inverse care system.

"These are just some of the reasons that have led our communities to top league tables in historical poor health, low mortality, heart disease and drug and alcohol related deaths."

READ MORE: Drug deaths rise in Inverclyde despite drop across Scotland

The local Labour politician has long been vocal in his criticism of economic regeneration plans.

Since he was elected in 2017, Councillor Jackson has consistently spoken out about poor housing and other poverty-related issues.

He said: "With poverty and deprivation so widespread in our communities, we need serious action on wider social inequality. Without long-term investment, drug and alcohol-related deaths and despair are inevitable.

"With the evidence staring them right in the face, you’d think it would have dawned on the Scottish and UK governments by now that the best way to the end the harms associated with problem drug use is to invest in those areas most affected by it.

"Despite the best will of the health and social care partnership and their associated alcohol and drug partnerships, without long term investment to tackle Inverclyde’s social and economic inequalities, then nothing, unfortunately, will change."

READ MORE: Inverclyde alcohol-related deaths the highest in Scotland

Councillor Jackson also recently quizzed health and social care bosses at the social work and social care scrutiny panel on a £240,000 underspend in the alcohol and drug recovery service at the same time as deaths increased.

He was reassured by the interim head of service, Gail Kilblane, that action was taken to recruit to the vacant posts.

Councillor Jackson said: "There is a place for harm reduction interventions the most common being methadone.

"But the success of abstinence recovery programmes in places like Jericho House have been ignored for far too long.

"The Scottish Government, having already made the mistake of putting all their efforts and funding into one area of recovery still refuse to accept that there are other, proven ways to tackle addiction.

There needs to be more funding aimed at this alternative approach."