DRUGGED KIDS HOSPITAL RISE
Deals via social media blamed
A RISE in the number of children going to hospital after taking drugs has been blamed on online dealers.
Figures show that three youngsters are admitted every day.
Official NHS statistics reveal 1,056 under-16s were treated at hospitals in England in 2019/20 – up 53% in a decade.
While admissions for drug misuse among all other age groups are falling, the problem is getting worse among children.
Nuno Albuquerque from UK Addiction Treatment Centres said: “One of the reasons is because of the readiness and availability of potent street drugs to kids via social media, and street dealers taking advantage of children before and after school.
“There is also a lack of education around the danger of drug abuse to children of this age group – almost as though drugs won’t be a part of their lives at such a young age.
“The fact that these figures reflect hospital admissions is frightening as it represents a worst-case scenario outcome from a child aged under 16 misusing drugs.
“We must also consider how many more children are experimenting or being encouraged to misuse extremely dangerous drugs who fortunately don’t require hospitalisation.” Harry Shapiro of DrugWise said: “There is plenty of evidence that more young people are suffering mental health problems in recent years. Some young people would be self-medicating with drugs.”
LOVE Island’s Camilla Thurlow and Jamie Jewitt have got engaged.
Camilla, who once dated Prince Harry, shared a photo showing their daughter Nell in a babygrow with the words: “Mummy, will you marry my daddy?” Jamie added: “She said yes!”
ANNE Hathaway has revealed she was only the ninth choice for the starring role in her smash-hit film The Devil Wears Prada.
The actress played the assistant to Meryl Streep’s fearsome magazine editor in the 2006 comedy-drama.
ROYLE Family star Sue Johnston and Slade frontman Noddy Holder are the latest celebs to have the Covid jab. Sue, 77, said: “My relief was enormous. “A step back to our old lives.”
Singer Noddy, 74, told fans: “Everyone, getting the vaccine is the only way to defeat the virus.”
PRINCE Charles visited the Duke of Edinburgh yesterday as his father spent a fourth day in hospital.
Charles, 72, spent about 30 minutes at King Edward VII’s in London after arriving wearing a mask.
Prince Philip, 99, has been in hospital since Tuesday. The reason has not been disclosed.
But Charles was accused of breaking lockdown rules with his visit. One Tweeter wrote: “Prince Charles blatantly breaching Covid regulations. One rule for royals, different one for us.”
Current rules say visiting someone in hospital is a “reasonable excuse” to leave home. But the NHS website says most hospitals are limiting visits.
MANCHESTER City star Phil Foden is already heading for doubles and trebles this season... as a darts player.
The 20-year-old usually lets his feet do all the talking for Pep Guardiola’s runaway Premier League leaders.
But we can reveal the Stockport-born youngster is able to boast another sporting talent and is “King of the Oche” when he joins up with England colleagues.
He left his Three Lions team-mates stunned back in
November before their 4-0 Nations League victory over Iceland at Wembley.
He hit a maximum 180 and underlined his reputation as the best darts player in Gareth Southgate’s squad.
Foden also bagged his first goals for England that night with a double against the Nordic outfit.
An England insider said: “We all know Phil is a brilliant footballing talent and is destined to go on and do big things, hopefully for both club and country.
“And it seems he could have another career playing darts when he eventually does hang up his boots.
“The England lads have a dartboard and are always challenging each other at the team hotel for fun and to try and break the boredom. But nobody really fancies taking on Phil. He doesn’t really play darts, but Phil has hit some 180s and regularly wins all the games of Killer and Round the Board. He’s a darts shark.” Foden has put in some eye-catching displays for City, with 13 goals so far. But our source added: “It’s come as a surprise that his eye for a goal and a pass is matched by his darts.”