Pupils in drink shame

Hundreds of young children caught bringing alcohol into the classroom

HUNDREDS of children have been excluded after bringing alcohol into schools and playgrounds across Scotland.

A total of 309 youngsters, including two primary pupils, were suspended from schools in fewer than three years for drinking alcohol including wine and spirits.

The figures once more lay bare Scotland’s long-standing battle with alcohol abuse, which according to recent figures was a factor in more than 3,700 deaths in a single year – more than ten a day.

According to the NHS Health Scotland study, drink had a role in more than 1,000 deaths from cancer in 2015. Hundreds more died from conditions such as liver disease and accidental injuries.

An average of a least nine pupils have been excluded every month between the beginning of 2015 and last September.

Beer and wine were listed among the alcoholic drinks pupils were caught with, though officials in Orkney and West Lothian reported that pupils had been excluded from secondary schools for drinking spirits.

Two primary pupils were suspended for bringing drink into schools in Moray and North Lanarkshire, though the local authorities declined to reveal the circumstances surrounding the incidents.

The figures, released under the Freedom of Information Act, have sparked calls for youngsters to be better shielded from gaining access to alcohol.

Alison Douglas, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, said: ‘Children who drink alcohol aren’t just at risk of being excluded from school, but also ending up in hosparents’ pital or being a victim of crime.

‘Schools need to support all pupils to make positive, healthy choices. A good start would be for all schools to commit to being completely alcohol-free. For example, not serving alcohol at evenings and carol concerts.

‘Children and young people see alcohol adverts every single day whether at the bus stop, cinema, on Facebook, or on TV. Added to that, alcohol is so affordable and easy to get hold of.’

The figures relate to incidents recorded either on school grounds or during trips outside school during school hours.

Highland Council reported the highest number of incidents, with 54 alcohol-related exclusions recorded over the 33-month period. One incident was considered serious enough for the police to be called in.

Aberdeenshire Council recorded 35 incidents, Glasgow 27 and North Lanarkshire 25.

Angus Council recorded that ‘three young people under influence on a school trip’ were excluded in 2015.

Tory education spokesman Liz Smith called for a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to any incidents involving pupils caught drinking or in possession of alcohol on school premises.

She said: ‘This is a very worrying situation with potentially dangerous consequences.

‘Children drinking alcohol at school is not only bad for their health but it can have a profound effect on their ability to learn. All parents will agree that it is completely unacceptable.’

A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘The overall rate of exclusion has more than halved since 2006-07 due to the continued focus by schools and education authorities to build on and improve their relationship with the most at-risk children and young people.’

‘A very worrying situation’