Shock figures reveal substance abuse rife among children

40% have experimented with drugs, alcohol or cigarettes

More than 40% of children aged between 11 and 15 in Tayside have experimented with “substances”.

Figures recorded in the Tayside Plan for Children, Young People and Families reveal in excess of four in 10 youths have admitted engaging in substance abuse within the past month.

The statistics were gathered as part of educational visits to schools.

The publication was presented to Dundee City Council’s children and families services committee on Monday.

It revealed 46% of children in Perth and Kinross have dabbled with either alcohol, cigarettes or “illicit drugs”, while 41% of young people in Dundee and 42% of youths in Angus have experimented with those substances.

The Tayside Plan for Children, Young People and Families, commissioned by NHS Tayside and regional councils, concedes substance abuse remains a “significant issue affecting children and young people”.

Liberal Democrat councillor Fraser Macpherson said the figures are proof education and “getting the right message across to young people” is integral.

Mr Macpherson added that the figures are a matter of “concern”.

He said: “This is something I will be highlighting and seeking answers about.

“It’s clearly vital that we get the right message across about drugs and alcohol to all the population, but crucially to young people.

“The figures quoted are quite similar with other areas and will be similar right across the country. This is a Scotland and UK-wide issue.”

Dundee’s children and families services convener said tackling the social ill requires bodies to work together with Dundee City Council.

Councillor Gregor Murray said: “We have to work collaboratively. It’s about working together with health, with the IJB (the council’s integrated joint board) and the police.

“We know what Dundee’s problems are, but we have to say: ‘how can we all work together?’. We can’t just do things in our own little bubble.”

Both Perth and Kinross and Angus Councils were also approached for comment, but did not respond.

NHS Tayside refused to comment.

It’s clearly vital that we get the right message across about drugs and alcohol to all the population, but crucially to young people. COUNCILLOR FRASER MACPHERSON