By Andrew Jarret

A 12-YEAR-OLD girl from Arbroath was found by police to be in such a drunken state that she required to be hospitalised last weekend.

She was just one of seven youngsters who came to the attention of officers over the weekend.

With concerns over drunken children increasing in Angus, Tayside Police and health officials in Angus yesterday appealed for help from all adults and those responsible for young people to tackle under-age drinking.

Community safety officer Inspector Ron McNaughton said, “During the last weekend, a total of seven young people came to our attention as a result of drinking to excess.

“The majority of them were taken home by officers to their parents but one—a 12-year-old girl from Arbroath—had to be admitted to hospital.

“Clearly, this kind of behaviour has a significant impact on the resources of the police, paramedics and hospitals, but that is not our primary concern. We are worried about vulnerability of the youngsters who are found so drunk that they are unable to care for themselves.

“As the weekend approaches, I would ask parents and carers to be proactive,” added Mr McNaughton.

“Make sure you know where your children are, what they are doing and who they are with. If they return home smelling of alcohol, challenge them about their behaviour. It is their safety that concerns us most.”

These sentiments were echoed by Susan Wilson, general manager with Angus Community Health Partnership, who said, “Our staff is regularly faced with the problems caused by young people who have been drinking alcohol.

“The long-term effects on the health of the young people found in this way are a major concern for us all. Excessive alcohol intake can seriously affect health, physically and emotionally.”

Arbroath Councillor Jim Millar, also chairman of the Angus licensing board, said, “Under-age drinking plays a significant role in the kind of anti-social behaviour that blights communities and we need to look closely, not only at how children obtain alcohol, but also at young people’s attitudes to drink.

“From a licensing perspective, the board is united in taking a very dim view of anyone caught selling alcohol to youngsters and one licensee in Montrose has already lost their license for doing so.

“Projects such as Focus on Alcohol Angus are playing an important role in the fight against under-age drinking but parents, and the judicial system, must continue to do everything possible to combat what is a very real problem in our communities.”