Felix the Cat
12-09-2005, 06:31 AM
Seven-year-olds 'treated for drugs' (http://www.guardian.co.uk/uklatest/story/0,1271,-5468103,00.html)
Doctors have seen children as young as seven suffering from the effects of drug or alcohol abuse, according to a new survey.
And more than four in ten doctors believe the number of children and teenagers with drug and alcohol problems is increasing.
The survey questioned 500 GPs for Channel 4's More4 News.
In an interview for the programme, Nigel Williams, the Children's Commissioner for Northern Ireland said that children were turning to drink and illegal narcotics "at much younger ages".
The poll of GPs found that 41% reported seeing a rising number of children and teenagers with drug and drink problems.
Some 85% said youngsters had ready access to drugs and 95% to alcohol.
More than half - 56% - said there was not enough support available in their area to tackle the problem.
The most common age-group to experience problems was 14-16, but some GPs reported treating children as young as seven, said More4 News.
Mr Williams told the programme: "Children are using alcohol and drugs at much younger ages.
"The most important thing is that the Government start by looking at their existing response and ask why it is not working?", he added.
Doctors have seen children as young as seven suffering from the effects of drug or alcohol abuse, according to a new survey.
And more than four in ten doctors believe the number of children and teenagers with drug and alcohol problems is increasing.
The survey questioned 500 GPs for Channel 4's More4 News.
In an interview for the programme, Nigel Williams, the Children's Commissioner for Northern Ireland said that children were turning to drink and illegal narcotics "at much younger ages".
The poll of GPs found that 41% reported seeing a rising number of children and teenagers with drug and drink problems.
Some 85% said youngsters had ready access to drugs and 95% to alcohol.
More than half - 56% - said there was not enough support available in their area to tackle the problem.
The most common age-group to experience problems was 14-16, but some GPs reported treating children as young as seven, said More4 News.
Mr Williams told the programme: "Children are using alcohol and drugs at much younger ages.
"The most important thing is that the Government start by looking at their existing response and ask why it is not working?", he added.