Sister Campaigns for Stricter Alcohol Delivery Controls After Tragic Loss
A grieving sister from Lincolnshire is demanding urgent government action to impose tighter restrictions on alcohol sales through delivery applications. This call follows the tragic death of her alcoholic sibling, who was spending between £1,000 and £1,500 every month ordering alcohol and cigarettes directly to her doorstep via platforms like Just Eat, Deliveroo, and Uber Eats.
The Heartbreaking Case of Zoe Hughes
Zoe Hughes, a 35-year-old mother of two, was discovered lifeless at the bottom of her stairs on July 24, 2023. Her family revealed she had been battling alcoholism for several years while attempting to cope with personal issues. According to her sister, Alexandria Hughes, 31, the addiction intensified significantly as alcohol became increasingly accessible through delivery services in the months leading up to her death.
'Over three to four years, she went from being drink-dependent to a full-blown alcoholic, in between therapies and rehabs,' Alexandria stated. She emphasized that the ease of obtaining alcohol through apps exacerbated her sister's condition, with no effective safeguards in place to prevent excessive purchases.
Petition for Government Intervention
Alexandria Hughes has now launched a petition urging ministers to introduce strict limits on these platforms to protect vulnerable individuals from easily accessing large quantities of alcohol. 'Just Eat's own terms say alcohol should not be handed to someone who is already drunk, yet there's no real process to monitor that,' she argued. 'Alcohol has always been widely available, but now it can be delivered straight to your door. If someone is intoxicated in a pub, they wouldn't be served. So why are delivery apps allowed to do it?'
Her proposals include either banning alcohol sales through delivery services entirely or implementing robust safeguards such as purchase limits, enhanced age verification checks, and monitoring systems to assess sobriety upon delivery.
Broader Concerns Over Addiction Support
Ms. Hughes also highlighted a wider lack of support for people struggling with addiction. 'I know people begging to go to rehab but they can't get a funded place,' she said. 'So they're left drinking at home with very little help available. Gamblers can block themselves from betting sites. Why isn't there an option for people to declare they're an alcoholic so they don't receive alcohol offers on these apps?'
She noted that her sister's addiction was intertwined with other health challenges, including bulimia and anorexia, underscoring the complex relationship between mental health issues and substance abuse. Despite her struggles, Zoe remained a devoted mother, remembered for her kindness and unwavering love for her children.
Delivery Platforms Respond
In response to the allegations, an Uber Eats spokesperson expressed condolences for the tragic events in 2023 and emphasized their commitment to safety. They stated that every alcohol delivery requires couriers to verify the recipient's date of birth with physical ID and conduct a sobriety check before completing the order. However, they added that the events occurred several years ago and insufficient details were provided to investigate the account or confirm alleged courier behavior.
A Deliveroo spokesperson affirmed that customer welfare is paramount, with all retailers on the platform adhering to the same licensing and regulatory rules as in-store sales, including mandatory age verification checks. They also mentioned a specialist account suspension policy for safety concerns.
Just Eat stated they take such matters seriously and have robust processes to ensure legal and responsible alcohol delivery. They offer support by blocking accounts or addresses and are investigating the shared information, noting that drivers are independent contractors but misconduct reports are taken seriously.
Britain's Hidden Alcoholism Epidemic
This warning emerges as experts describe a 'hidden epidemic' of alcoholism among older adults in Britain. Latest NHS figures indicate that 23 percent of women aged 55–64 exceed the recommended 14 units of alcohol per week, a level linked to higher risks of cancer and alcohol dependence. Doctors note that many individuals fail to recognize they have a problem because they are not yet physically dependent and do not experience withdrawal symptoms.
Clinicians often use the CAGE questionnaire—a screening test developed in 1984—to identify so-called 'functioning alcoholics.' Answering 'yes' to two or more of its four questions may signal a potential drinking problem. Official data show alcohol deaths have surged in recent years, reaching over 10,000 in England and Wales in 2022, approximately one-third higher than pre-pandemic levels.
Alexandria Hughes hopes her petition will raise awareness and drive changes in how alcohol is sold online, advocating for a system that prioritizes public health over convenience. 'You wouldn't be served three or four bottles of wine at a pub if you were clearly intoxicated,' she concluded. 'Why is it different with delivery?'
