THE NUMBER of people suffering from alcohol- related illnesses in Tayside has more than quadrupled over the past 15 years.

A shock increase in cases at the region’s acute hospitals—more than the Scottish national average—was uncovered by the SNP as they underlined the seriousness of the nation’s binge drinking culture.

Figures show the number of patients with discharge records from Scottish general acute hospitals with an explicit diagnosis of an alcohol-related conditions has gone up 37,909 between 1990 and last year.

At Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, there was an increase over that period from 346 to 1690. Perth Royal Infirmary had 614 cases in 2004/05, compared with 186 in 1990/91.

Dundee East MSP Shona Robison said, “The problem of Scotland’s binge drinking culture is not a new one, but these new statistics underline the seriousness of the situation.

“The massive increase in the number of people discharged from Ninewells suffering from the impact of alcohol abuse is far greater than that seen across the rest of Scotland.

“We cannot wait any longer before we tackle the growing problems of our binge drinking culture.

“It’s not only the adverse effect on the health of local people that concerns me, but the impact on social order that we see on our streets every weekend.

“The people of this area have had enough of the problems associated with alcohol abuse, and so we need action now to tackle this growing problem.”

There were 51,599 cases recorded across the country last year, compared with 13,890 in 1990, according to the statistics obtained through a parliamentary answer at the Scottish Parliament.

The figures represent an increase of 271%.

Glasgow’s Victoria Infirmary saw more than a five-fold increase in patients with alcohol problems over the 15-year period from 674 to 3571, along with Edinburgh’s Western General hospital which was up from 223 to 1366.

The Scottish Executive yesterday admitted the matter was a serious one.

A spokesman said, “Personal responsibility is crucial and that is why we are educating people on the healthy choices for diet and lifestyle.”

Almost £10 million has recently been put into rehabilitation services and educating the public on the dangers of binge drinking.