New study shows Eight-year-olds are abusing alcohol
Scottish hospitals are reporting seeing children as young as 8 years with health problems directly related to alcohol.
In a study lasting 5 weeks 633 children were seen in A&E after binge drinking alcohol.
The study reported that they had drunk on average 6 pints of lager in the previous 24 hours. It was also revealed that a significant number, up to a quarter had also taken Cannabis and ecstasy. It was also discovered that the majority of the emergency cases related to alcohol were under 30 years old.
In all 21 hospitals took part in the study, which was carried out in 2007 between April and June. Up to 70% of the assault cases were alcohol related in some way. It was also discovered that up to 62% of males and 50% of females self harming had drunk alcohol.
An emergency consultant, Dr Bill Morrison, who also chaired the project said this was proof that Scotland's drink culture was creating real damage. He said there was a considerable increase in the number of children taking alcohol from their parents and ending up being treated in hospital.
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