More youngsters seeking help for drug abuse

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by Change | 15 Oct 2008

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There has been an increase in the number of children and teenagers in the south of Northern Ireland getting support for drug addiction over the past year.

The incidence of youngsters from the southern health board (Southern HSSB) area of Northern Ireland seeking help for drug addiction has increased five-fold over the past 12 months, it has been reported.

According to the Tyrone Times, figures from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety have revealed the number of people in the area under the age of 18 going for drugs treatment rose from three per cent in 2006/07 to 15 per cent in 2007/08.

Other findings included there being the highest prevalence of cocaine and crack cocaine misuse among registered drug-takers in the country, at 14 per cent.

However, the report suggests substance abusers are seeking help at a younger age here than in any other board area, the newspaper says.

Alcohol was shown to be the most commonly reported drug in the Southern HSSB, followed by cocaine and cannabis.

In other news, the Evening Chronicle surmised one in four people in the UK are considered to be dependent on addictive substances ranging from coffee to alcohol.

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