SCORES of people in Cheltenham are on benefits because they are addicted to alcohol or drugs.
The latest figures reveal that 150 people in Cheltenham are unable to work because their addictions are so bad.
There are a total of 720 people in the county unable to work due to their addictions, with 60 in the Cotswolds, 60 in Tewkesbury, 70 in the Forest of Dean, 140 in Stroud and 240 in Gloucester.
County alcohol abuse expert Con Twomey, who lives in Chipping Campden and battled alcoholism many years ago, said: "It doesn't surprise me and it's going to get worse.
"Before you get to the stage of addiction you go through many other stages and the services have never been able to crack the problem or stage constructive early interventions.
"Alcohol dependency is possibly the most serious social problem we face and the knock-on effect is enormous.
"The economy suffers and the likes of social services suffer.
"It will get worse because more and more teenagers are drinking and parents need to realise there might be a problem.
"You can buy a 12-pack of beer for next to nothing, it's easy to become to dependent on it."
The figures, from the Department for Work and Pensions, show that 260 people in the county received Incapacity Benefit and Severe Disablement Allowance because of drug or alcohol problems, while another 460 got Employment Support Allowance.
There are likely to be more drug addicts and alcoholics in the welfare system, because the figures may not include claimants who have another more prominent medical condition.
In a written parliamentary answer, Employment Minister Mark Hoban said: "The work capability assessment assesses the effects of a person's condition on their ability to carry out a number of everyday activities.
"In the case of someone with drug or alcohol dependency, needs may arise by way of a physical or mental complication caused by drugs or alcohol. Many people with drug or alcohol dependence have an underlying psychiatric illness. Drug or alcohol dependency does not of itself confer entitlement to incapacity benefits."
