Pubdate: Sun, 04 May 2014
Source: Lancashire Evening Post (UK)
Copyright: 2014 Lancashire Evening Post
Contact:  http://www.lep.co.uk/newspaper.aspx
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2975

KIDS AGED 11 REFERRED FOR DRUG AND ALCOHOL HELP

Children as young as 11 have been referred to specialist drug and
alcohol treatment services in Lancashire, according to new figures.

Statistics released under the Freedom of Information Act show children
in the county are being referred by education and children's services
to alcohol and drugs specialists.

A referral can mean the child is vulnerable to drug and alcohol misuse
through exposure from a parent or other relative, or could have
started abusing themselves.

Nationally some 366 children aged 12 or under were referred for
treatment in 2012/13 in England, according to the most recent figures
from Public Health England, compared with 433 in 2011/12.

More than half of the under-13s referred -- 59 per cent -- received
treatment for cannabis misuse, while a third were treated for alcohol
misuse. A small number abused solvents.

Mike Leaf, Lancashire County Council's director of health improvement,
said: "There are now fewer young people with alcohol and drug
addiction problems in Lancashire. Research also shows that generally,
people do not start to use drugs and alcohol until later in life.

"However, there is still work to do to discourage drug and alcohol
misuse and support people to quit their habit.

"Many schools sign up to our Healthy Schools Programme that provides
training and materials to help teachers and schools staff to educate
children about drug and alcohol issues and refer them to our advice
services if they have a problem.

"If you need help to overcome a drug or alcohol addiction, or suspect
someone in your family may have an issue, call Addaction Central
Lancashire on 01772 255307."
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MAP posted-by: Matt