Rise in NI teens getting treatment for substance abuse

The number of young people in the North being treated for alcohol or drug abuse has trebled in recent years, according to new figures from the Department of Health.

In March 2005, just over 270 under-18s were being treated for substance abuse, while this year the figure has risen to almost 850.

In total, more than 5,500 people in the North are being treated for substance abuse, three-fifths of them for alcohol problems, one-fifth for drug misuse and the other fifth for a combination of both.