Call to tackle parents who abuse alcohol

THE charity Children 1st has called on the Government to do more to help youngsters whose parents abuse alcohol.

The Edinburgh-based charity says more than 65,000 children in Scotland are affected by parental alcohol misuse. Now, in response to a Government discussion paper around the country's relationship with alcohol, the charity is calling for parents to be made more aware of the impact of their drinking upon their children.

It is lobbying for a national campaign on the issue together with better support for parents and classroom education on the subject.

The charity's head of public affairs Tom Roberts said: "Substance misuse is a blight on our society, and unfortunately it is vulnerable children who bear the brunt of its impact.

"It's time for the Government to focus its attention on ending parental substance misuse."