10-year-old gets drunk sipping people’s drinks

A 10-year-old child got drunk and needed medical care after sipping people’s drinks at a Wanaka home.

St John Ambulance was called to a residential address at 12.50am on July 8. They treated the child, who did not require transport to a medical centre or hospital.

Spokesman Gerard Campbell said ambulance staff notified the police.

‘‘The only information I have is and can release, given it was a private address and a medical event, is ambulance staff assessed and treated a 10-year-old child at the address.’’

A police spokesperson said police were making inquiries to determine what happened.

However, in a Crimeline report published online this week, Constable Melanie Allen warned parents to keep a close eye on children.

‘‘Keep a close eye on your children as we attended an incident involving a drunk 10-year-old child, who had been sipping people’s drinks throughout the night.

‘‘This ended up with ambulance attending and one very sick child. Don’t let this be your child.’’

Police and St John Ambulance would not release any further information.

‘‘More importantly it damages brain development, especially in teens, not just children. We know there is damage to teenage brains if they drink.’’

Christchurch Youth Health primary care specialist Dr Sue Bagshaw

Christchurch Youth Health primary care specialist Dr Sue Bagshaw said children did not process alcohol as well as adults, and it was harmful physically and mentally.

‘‘More importantly it damages brain development, especially in teens, not just children. We know there is damage to teenage brains if they drink.

‘‘MRI research from the States that shows alcohol damages the brain, especially the developing memory part for 15-year-olds who drink quite a lot compared with 15-year-olds that have drunk nothing. Fourteen, 15, 16, are crucial stages of brain development.’’