MSP Jamie Greene used a debate in parliament to highlight the toll taken by alcohol abuse.

He was highlighting a new campaign which aims to combat the stigma surrounding it.

The Greenock-born Conservative spoke about the the devastating personal impact of alcohol abuse on those suffering from it and their families.

Inverclyde has the highest alcohol-related death rate in Scotland over the last five years, with 28 people losing their lives to booze in the last 12 months alone.

Figures published last month showed that there were 1,276 deaths in Scotland as a result of alcohol misuse last year, the highest annual number recorded in 14 years.

Mr Greene said:  “Every single person who has a problem with alcohol in this country should have the right to support and recovery. Every death as a result of alcohol or drugs is avoidable.

“The See Beyond, See the Lives campaign is fighting for a new approach to help people suffering from addiction.

“It is vital we bust the myths surrounding addiction in Scotland and begin to treat addiction like the disease it is.”