MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee County's top health policy advisor is calling attention to a sharp rise in alcohol-related deaths.

Dr. Ben Weston tweeted statistics on Monday, June 12 that showed a 64% increase in alcohol-related deaths from 2019 to 2020. The rest of the country saw a 26% rise.

We spoke to Dr. Weston Monday, and he told us the COVID-19 pandemic played a large role in that increase.

"COVID has been a society-changing event for many folks and it's caused a lot of strain," he added.

"More broadly, when we look at past years, there's all sorts of things that contribute to alcohol use. That could be mental health issues, it could be stress, it could be other substance issues as well."

Weston says if you or someone you know struggles with alcohol use, Milwaukee County has resources available for free. To get started, call their 24-hour line at (414) 257-7222.