Pubdate: Thu, 21 Mar 2002 Source: New Zealand Herald (New Zealand) Copyright: 2002 New Zealand Herald Contact: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/300 Author: NZPA Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) CRIME FEEDS KIDS' HABITS Nelson children as young as 11 and 12 are committing crimes to support alcohol and drug habits, a district court judge says. Judge John Walker says 80 per cent of young people going through the Nelson Youth Court have alcohol or drug abuse issues, and very young people are binge-drinking on "huge quantities" of spirits. Judge Walker says many youths who commit crimes do so to support their dependency on alcohol and drugs. Most offences are opportunistic crimes such as dishonesty, car conversions and theft. Judge Walker says someone needs to take a look at drug education programmes nationally and critically assess them so the issues can be dealt with more effectively. - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager