Children seek help for cannabis abuse at 13

CHILDREN as young as 13 are being treated for cannabis addiction and 16-year-olds are attending treatment programmes for heroin and cocaine abuse, figures show.

A detailed examination of exactly who is being treated for addiction in one health board area shows that of the thousands looking for help each year, more than 400 have not yet reached their 20th birthday.

Of the 416 teenagers getting addiction counselling and treatment in the South Eastern Health Board area, one in three are attending for alcohol abuse, the Drugs Misuse report for 2003 shows.

While 20 to 29-year-olds were traditionally the group most likely to come forward and look for help, the latest report shows that a higher number of 10 to 19-year-olds are now booking into addiction treatment centres and programmes.

The numbers of 10 to 19-year-olds attending addiction centres and programmes in the region has climbed by 3% in just one year. And some children as young as 13 are regularly abusing cannabis, the statistics compiled throughout 2003 show.

Of those addicted to cannabis, two were 13 year-olds; 14 were just 14; 33 were 15 years of age, and 47 were just 16.

Almost 50 17-year-olds were addicted to cannabis, while 37 were 18 years of age and 30 were 19.

Of the heroin addicts who sought help, three were aged 16; four were just 17; four were 18, and 10 were aged 19.

Of the cocaine addicts, two were aged 16; two were aged 17; two were aged 18 and one was 19.

Regional drugs co-ordinator for the south east Tony Bardon said while the figures might be shocking for those not working in the system, they are an accurate reflection of what is going on in society.

He said it is only now that we are getting a very clear picture of the level of addiction in our society among young people. He is most worried about the numbers abusing alcohol, with alcohol abuse outnumbering drug abuse by three to one in the south east, compared to other parts of the country.

"We are now starting to get a very accurate picture of drug and alcohol abuse in this country. There have to be greater moves at a national level to tackle alcohol abuse in particular. Some didn't even want alcohol put into the figures for addiction. But it is a drug, albeit a legal one," he said.

Of the 2,345 people seeking help for alcohol and drug abuse in the region last year, over half, 53%, have never sought treatment before.

The overall tally of those attending treatment services is up by 249 people on 2002.

The numbers presenting for treatment for the first time is highest in Carlow at almost 60%. Most of those attending for treatment were male. In 2001, the number of males seeking help was 80%. The number fell to about 70% last year.

Drug statistics

Of the 416 12 to 19 year-olds seeking help:

144 were for alcohol abuse

212 were for cannabis

5 were for amphetamines

21 were for ecstasy

21 were for heroin

7 were for cocaine

6 were for solvents.