Deaths of Despair - It’s not just Blackpool, says Police Commissioner candidate for Avon and Somerset

It’s not just Blackpool, says Police Commissioner candidate

BBC News on Friday reports that ‘Deaths of Despair’ - suicide, drugs and alcohol overdoses - are highest in the Northern seaside town.

But the problem isn’t just in the North.  The analysis shows Somerset scores ‘high’ in the death rate, despite being surrounded by areas classed as ‘Low’.   There’s a clear link between Deaths of Despair and economic growth, with West Somerset previously having scored the poorest social mobility score in England. 

Liberal Democrat Police Commissioner candidate for Avon and Somerset, Benet Allen, said “this careful study by the University of Manchester shows that there are real problems for young people in Avon and Somerset. These tragic deaths are a police problem, and we needs joined-up work with education, healthcare and support from the charity sector to help us overcome the blight on young lives in our region.”


EDITORIAL NOTES
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953624000042?via%3Dihub