MSP Jamie Greene says he is concerned by a big drop in the number of people starting alcohol treatment.

In the NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde region, which covers Inverclyde, there has been a 59 per cent fall over the last decade.

The figure has gone from 11,895 in 2013-14 to 4,901 in 2021-22.

Inverclyde has the highest alcohol-related death rate in Scotland over the last five years, with 28 people losing their lives to booze in the last 12 months alone.

Mr Greene said: “The drop is deeply alarming.

“These concerning findings only reaffirm the need for SNP ministers to finally back the Right to Recovery Bill.

“This legislation would enshrine in law the right for those suffering from addiction to receive potentially life-saving treatment and has been backed by frontline experts and charities.”