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Children, 11 to 15, drinking more - and getting it from their relatives
BOOZY youngsters in Barnsley are drinking more than ever - and most are obtaining it from adults, a new study has found.
The Children's Services Scrutiny Commission found only a small rise in
11 to 15-year-olds drinking, but those who did were consuming more.
And 67 per cent of 14 to 17-year-olds came by it from grown ups - nearly half from parents or relatives, and 19 per cent from other adults.
A report on the figures said: "This could potentially lead to trouble - 23 per cent claimed to obtain alcohol from a shop or supermarket and 45 per cent indicated other young people as the source. Only 10 per cent of 14 to 17-year-olds mentioned a pub or club as the place to obtain alcohol.
"These figures suggest that a minority of adults act irresponsibly in letting alcohol get into the hands of young people in an unsafe environment."
The report also found the number of girls boozing in Barnsley is increasing more rapidly than boys, and the town's underage drinking figures for both sexes are above the national average.
It added that some of the children who are drinking increasing amounts of alcohol go on to have health problems or commit crime.
Although admissions to Barnsley Hospital were 'not significantly' above
the national average, during a six-month period last year 67 young people under 18 were admitted because of alcohol.
The report added: "Whilst hospital admissions of young people directly related to alcohol are small in number, this figure has been rising in recent years. The instance of cirrhosis of the liver among young people also continues to rise.
"On Friday and Saturday nights the number of young people attending the Accident and Emergency department can peak at levels where it is challenging for staff to cope."
A further problem uncovered by researchers was the reliance on alcohol sales by local shops to stay in business.
The report said: "In smaller retail units that primarily serve their local communities, alcohol sales could be around 25 per cent of sales.
"Any significant decline in the sale of alcohol could affect the viability of the outlet and lead to the closure of a valuable community resource.
"There can be issues with the regulation of the sale of alcohol from some of these premises, but many do provide a valuable service to local estates often in deprived areas."
Recommendations made by the research group included introducing more alcohol education in schools and the wider community.
It also suggested drawing up a new council-wide strategy to co-ordinate efforts across the town to tackle the causes of drinking among underage youngsters.
The research, between July and December last year, will be discussed by the children's services scrutiny commission on Monday August 2.
Barnsley Council declined to comment on the report.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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