Addiction counselling for children aged just 12

CHILDREN as young as 12 are receiving counselling for alcohol and drug addiction in the Lothians, it emerged today.

New figures have shown that 121 youngsters in the last year have either sought or been referred for help to combat drug or drink abuse.

Health chiefs would not reveal exactly how many 12 and 13-year-olds had been helped in 2008, only to say it was a handful in both cases. But it can be revealed there were 18 children aged 14 who received counselling last year, as well as 25 16-year-olds and 30 17-year-olds.

Charities said they had noticed a rise in the number of youngsters calling for help with their own drinking, while politicians said the authorities and parents had to take a tougher line.

Anne Houston, chief executive of the Edinburgh-based Children 1st charity, said: "We know that young people, like adults, often use drugs or alcohol to cope with problems in their lives, such as difficult family relationships or sexual abuse, and that the numbers of children calling ChildLine in Scotland about their own drinking has increased over the past five years.

"There is often a lot going on behind the drinking and drug taking and we need to build children's confidence and encourage them to talk about their problems."

The statistics, released by NHS Lothian under Freedom of Information laws, also showed there were 26 18-year-olds seeking help for addictions in the area.

The majority of cases were youngsters seeking help with drink, although 51 needed drug support.

There isn't a set level of alcohol or substance abuse that triggers referral for treatment. Anyone from a teacher, social worker, parent or the police can put someone forward for the counselling, which follows a similar route to adult sessions, by focussing on the reasons for the abuse.

Various organisations offer the counselling support in the city, with the youngsters being referred through the NHS.

The city's licensing leader, Cllr Marjorie Thomas, said a number of issues had to be addressed to reduce the number of youngsters drinking.

She said: "I think it is a dreadful indictment on today's society that children that young are receiving counselling for alcohol abuse. The first port of call has to be the parents, where are they when this is happening? We also need to make sure shops are not selling alcohol to underage drinkers, and when they are the police have to be tough on the punishment."

Sally Lee, the health board's associate director and child health commissioner, said: "NHS Lothian recognises that alcohol abuse affects everyone, including children, and as a result works hard with partners, such as local authorities and voluntary organisations to address their needs.

"NHS Lothian and local authorities fund specialist treatment and prevention services to improve their health and wellbeing and protect children from substance misuse."