Statistics have revealed a sharp spike in the number of Angus people under the influence of drink or drugs who required ambulance assistance over the festive period.
From a figure of 22 in 2014-15, the tally jumped more than 60% to 37 in the recent festive season, leading to calls for greater Scottish Government action to tackle the nation’s alcohol and drug problems.
The figures were obtained under a Freedom of Information request by the Scottish Conservatives and also showed a steady increase in neighbouring Aberdeenshire, where between December 1 and January 4 the casualty number was 45, compared to just 36 in 2015-16.
Across the two areas the increase in call-outs to help drink or drugs casualties was more than 40%.
Scottish Conservative North East Scotland MSP Alex Johnstone has called for more to be done to tackle a scourge that is “just not going away.”
Mr Johnstone said drug-related deaths in Scotland have risen to their highest level since records began, with the National Records of Scotland revealing 613 people died as the result of drugs in 2014.
There were also 1,152 alcohol-related deaths in Scotland in 2014 and 35,059 alcohol-related hospital stays in 2014-15.
“Scotland has a long history of problems with alcohol and drugs and these figures prove the problem is just not going away,” he said.
“Everyone tends to let their hair down during the festivities but nobody should be ending up in the back of an ambulance.
“Our emergency crews have a hard enough job as it is.
“Perhaps this problem is due to the fact that the SNP Government has continued to reduce the amount of funding it gives to drug and alcohol partnerships.
“Just this month we heard that one of the biggest charities to help those battling the demon drink and drugs has had their funding cut by £15m.
“Where is the sense in that?”
Public health minister Maureen Watt said: “The Scottish Ambulance Service and our NHS will always be there for those who need them.
“However, the harmful effects of alcohol and drug consumption puts additional pressure on these services and is another reason why everyone should drink responsibly and keep safe.
“It is simply not true to say there has been cuts to the budgets for alcohol and drug partnerships, nor will there be any.
“In 2012 the budget for alcohol and drug partnerships rose to £69 million and has remained at this level ever since.
“For the 2016-17 budget, we have been clear that health boards, whose funding will increase by 5.5%, will contribute to the budgets of alcohol and drugs partnerships to ensure that overall spending on supporting the treatment of alcohol and substance misuse is maintained.”