160 children treated for drug misuse in south-east

A TOTAL of 160 children — including 20 aged between 12 and 14 — were treated for alcohol or drug misuse in the south-east in 2006, according to a report.

A review by the Health Service Executive showed there has been a steady increase in problem cocaine and heroin use between 2000 and 2007, with a sharp jump from 2006 to 2007.

The report said there were 29 cases of people intentionally poisoning themselves by taking household tranquillisers in 2006.