Lothian MSP opens up about losing his father to alcohol
Miles Briggs wrote “We probably don’t speak enough about you as a family – that’s partly because it can often return to what was a difficult few final years of your life."
Last updated 5th Jun 2023
Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs is aiming to tackle the stigma around alcoholism by opening up about the loss of his father.
As part of the See Beyond – See the Lives – Scotland campaign, Briggs has written a sincere letter sharing his experience as the child of a parent who drank.
Candidly he shared the memories of his dad Jim hiding empty bottles around the house and struggling to hold a job.
He writes, “We probably don’t speak enough about you as a family – that’s partly because it can often return to what was a difficult few final years of your life. Dad, you know you weren’t perfect, but then which one of us is?”
Also supporting the campaign is Monica Lennon, Scottish Labour MSP for Central Scotland, who lost her father to alcohol in 2015 and has since become an advocate against the stigma around substance use.
In her letter, Monica, wrote about her experiences with her father Gerard, who she attended Alcoholics Anonymous meetings with, in Glasgow.
She writes, “A whole lot of life happens when you are waiting for rock bottom. Part of me always believed that you would fall so hard that recovery would follow. There were times it was too difficult to be around.”
The main message behind the See Beyond – See the Lives – Scotland is ‘Everyone knows someone’ which was launched by the University of Stirling, Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs, Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP), and The Salvation Army.
Mr Briggs commented on this message saying, “It is a sad fact that everyone will know someone who has lost a loved one because of drugs and alcohol dependency. As a country we can make a change and save lives.”
Lennon added, “Everyone knows someone who has lost a loved one as a result of alcohol or drugs. The powerful stories that people have shared about the people they loved and lost have inspired me to continue campaigning for change. We can all make a difference, including the language we use and the judgements we make about others.”
The MSPs will front a reception in Holyrood this week with those that are involved with the website campaign in attendance to talk about their experiences. The website contains Miles’ and Monica’s letters to their fathers alongside 14 others who share letters to their loved ones.
The initiative comes after a rising number of deaths from drugs and alcohol over the last three years across the UK, with the highest rates in Scotland.