John Swinney will face questions from the opposition after more than 70 organisations joined forces to call on the Scottish Government to take urgent action to tackle the near-record high number of alcohol deaths.
The group, which includes charities, doctors’ organisations and others, made the demand after figures showed Scotland has seen the highest number of drink-related deaths since 2008.
The 72 group signatories said the Government must use the year before the next Holyrood election to prioritise early detection and treatment of liver disease, alongside other targeted measures.
They have called for an increase in funding for recovery, treatment and support services generated through a levy on alcohol retailers.
It comes in the same week new figures showed suspected drug deaths in Scotland rose by almost a fifth between December and February.
Public Health Scotland data showed there were 251 suspected drug deaths between December 2 2024, and February 23 this year – an average of 21 per week.
The figures cover the period when the UK’s first safer drugs consumption room opened in Glasgow in January of this year.
The First Minister will face questions in parliament at midday.
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