Under-age, under the influence and in hospital

AROUND 300 Scots schoolkids are admitted to hospitals every year with an alcohol-related illness, the News of The World can reveal today.

Shocking figures uncovered by us show the desperate extent of Scotland's under-age booze shame.

And our findings sparked outrage last night from sickened politicians and charity bosses.

Jack Law, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, said: "This reinforces the need for URGENT action to tackle under-age drinking."

We discovered that, in the past six years, a terrifying total of 2,009 kids have been admitted to hospital for treatment for serious alcohol misuse.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde topped our alco-tots league table with 618 admissions.

There were 321 cases in Lothian, 237 in the NHS Highland area and 132 in the Borders - showing that the problem stretches the length and breadth of the country.

Jack added: "Young people are not fully developed physically, which means they do not process alcohol in the same way adults do.

"Those who regularly drink heavily are putting their personal safety at risk."

He added: "Selling alcohol at pocket-money prices makes it very attractive to youngsters.

"Imposing a minimum price per unit is one measure that would help reduce consumption and also reduce the consequences for young people. Parents, too, have a role in influencing their children on the use of alcohol."

And Children 1st spokesman Tom Roberts admitted: "The number of kids and young people who get drunk regularly is very concerning. It is further stark evidence of Scotland's negative relationship with alcohol. Urgent steps are needed to reduce consumption and the damaging impact it is having on our youngsters."

Utilising Freedom of Information laws, our probe revealed that the worst 12 months for under-age boozing were in 2007-08.

A total of 405 kids were admitted to hospitals with drink-related conditions.

The most recent available figures, for 2008-09 show a drop from that record toll to 278. But that is still the second highest figure since 2003.

The results of our investigation are supported by information from the latest Scottish Schools Adolescent Lifestyle and Substance Use Survey.

Published by the NHS, it reveals that almost a THIRD (31 per cent) of kids aged 15 admitted to having a drink in the week before the survey.

And 11 per cent of 13-year-olds said the same. The study also disclosed that 82 per cent of 15-year-olds had drunk alcohol before - despite being three years below the drinking age.

And over half of children aged 13 admitted they had downed booze. Shadow Health Secretary Jackie Baillie last night called for tough new measures to curb under-age boozing.

She said: "Alcohol abuse is the most important public health issue we face in Scotland today.

"But fixing minimum prices per unit will do NOTHING to stop children drinking. We need measures such as a mandatory scheme in which would-be customers will be challenged to prove they are over 25.

"And licences MUST be removed from those who sell alcohol to children."

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon insisted that the Scottish Government was already working hard to get kids off the booze. She said: "While personal and parental responsibility are paramount, we have rolled out test- purchasing nationwide to catch rogue retailers who sell alcohol to children.

"In addition, police forces and local authorities across the country are operating a wide range of initiatives and diversionary activities to tackle under-age drinking."

Sturgeon added: "Our proposal for minimum alcohol pricing would see the cheapest ciders, super-strength lagers and low-grade spirits - which are currently being sold very cheaply - go up in price."

A Greater Glasgow Health Board spokesman said: "We have 17 programmes in place to tackle childhood alcohol abuse."

The perils of under-age drinking were highlighted in December 2005 when two girls aged 13 nearly died following a disco in posh Westhill, Aberdeen.

Both fell asleep and then lay in SNOW for hours wearing skimpy clothes. Cops said that the two girls suffered severe hypothermia and were lucky to be revived.

• DOUBLE VISION

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