Alcohol-related deaths remain at their highest level in Greater Manchester since 2001, figures show

The number of alcohol-related deaths in Greater Manchester remained at its highest level since 2001, new figures show.

The latest figures from the National Statistics Office show that there were a total of 498 deaths in the county in 2022, the same number as the previous year in 2021.

This is an increase of almost a third from five years ago in 2018, when there were 375 alcohol-related deaths.

Dr Richard Piper, chief executive of Alcohol Change UK, said: “Each of these deaths is a tragedy, representing a person whose life was cut short and leaving behind people who grieve and miss them every day .

“Years of inaction against alcohol have led to this, and the heartbreaking thing is that these deaths were completely avoidable.

“Our government has the responsibility and power to implement preventive measures, including proper regulation of the sale of alcohol, clearer labeling of alcohol and a minimum price for a unit of alcohol.

“As part of a clear, long-term strategy to improve our health, these measures can prevent alcohol-related harm, protecting individuals, family members, communities and society – and crucially save lives in the future.”

ONS statistics show alcohol-specific deaths; includes those health conditions where every death is a direct consequence of alcohol abuse.

As a result, alcohol-specific deaths incorporate a wide range of diseases, including alcoholic liver disease, alcohol-induced pancreatitis, and excess blood alcohol, among other causes of death.

Broken down by Greater Manchester borough, the figures for 2022 show that the highest number of deaths was in Manchester, with 82.

After Manchester, the second and third highest number of deaths were in Wigan (60) and Bolton (53).

The lowest number of alcohol-related deaths was 30 in Trafford.

Alcohol-related deaths are also the highest in the North West than any other region in England and Wales, with a total of 1,334 in 2022.

The second highest number regionally was 1,065, which occurred in the Southeast.

Greater Manchester Combined Authority previously used an alcohol and drugs strategy between 2019 and 2021, aimed at reducing harm caused by drugs and alcohol.

Kate Green, Greater Manchester’s deputy mayor for police, crime, criminal justice and fire, said: “Greater Manchester wants all its residents to live well and tackling the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol is a key part of this.

“Working alongside NHS Greater Manchester, we are taking a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to understanding those most at risk and bringing about positive change.

“Our Drug and Alcohol Transformation Council also does vital work to reduce drug and alcohol harm by promoting understanding and collaboration between health and justice partners working in and across our ten boroughs.

“This extensive collaboration, plus our drug and alcohol death surveillance system, which uses treatment records and coroner’s reports to learn the lessons from each tragic public service case, aims to reduce the likelihood of similar deaths occurring future.”

ONS data can be found here.

Image credit: Thom Masat.