THE full scale of alcoholism in North Lincolnshire can today be revealed after a comprehensive new report was published.

The survey by the Centre For Public Health highlights issues with alcohol-related deaths, mortality from chronic liver disease, booze-related violent crime and other factors linked to drink.

The region's biggest problem is road deaths related to alcohol use.

Between 2006 and 2008, the number of deaths attributable to alcohol was the third highest in the country – at 3.2 per 100,000 of the population.

The study breaks down drink-related problems in 24 different categories for local primary care trusts across the country.

And while many figures compare well with other parts of the country, they show alcohol is still shattering too many lives in the region.

Isobel Coggan lost her 19-year-old son, Dale, in an accident caused by a drink-driver in 2004.

She said there needed to be a greater focus on stopping the problem – and harsher punishments for those who continue to drink and drive.

Mrs Coggan said: "We have got to do more to educate people about drink-driving.

"Where do you go and what do you do, because people are going to drink and drive regardless.

"It is also about giving more prison sentences and being more strict on drink-drivers."

The figures also show booze triggers too much violent crime – with 6.3 offences per 1,000 of the population.

Data for chronic liver disease, which is linked in many cases with alcohol use, shows there were 8.2 deaths per 100,000 of the population – the eighth lowest in England.

North Lincolnshire fared better in other areas, with much of the data showing the region is performing significantly better than the national average.

But the figures for road deaths have sparked the most concern.

PC Barry Gardner, Humberside Police casualty reduction officer, said he was disappointed by the report's findings.

He said: "The figures continue to disappoint me and amaze me in as much that people are still selfish enough to carry on driving vehicles while having had alcohol.

"The figures show there is a marked correlation between drink-driving and crashing.

"People have got a selfish attitude if they think they should be allowed to do that."

Road chiefs say education is key in combating the problem – and they say they are aiming to do more.

Other data revealed in the report showed that chronic booze problems are deeply rooted in some parts of the country.

But North Lincolnshire has issues on a far smaller scale.

Scunthorpe MP, Nic Dakin, said: "Managing alcohol correctly and safely is a big challenge for modern society.

"It is pleasing that these statistics suggest that things are reasonably healthy in the Scunthorpe area, but I am sure there is still more for us to do, working with health professionals and the public in general.

"Road collisions are a stark reminder of the relationship between drinking and deaths.

"I welcome the positives, but we can by no means be complacent on this issue and we have got to work together, very hard, to make improvements in certain areas."