More than 800 children have ended up in casualty in each of the past three years having drunk alcohol. A report obtained by BBC Wales under the Freedom of Information Act makes for disturbing and challenging reading.
Children as young as four have been treated in accident and emergency departments in Wales for the effects of alcohol, research shows.
Figures obtained by BBC Wales suggest at least 1,200 children attend casualty each year because of drink and drugs.
Children under 12 are among cases of alcohol and drug poisoning.
Dr Richard Lewis, Welsh secretary of the British Medical Association, said the issue was “increasingly worrying”.
“I think it’s pretty well recognised by health services and health professionals that there’s an increasing problem with both alcohol and drug-related incidents with younger and younger people,” said Dr Lewis.
“We see year-on-year increases with attendances at A&E departments, particularly for alcohol.”
One young person in casualty as a result of alcohol and drugs was one too many, he said.
“It is increasingly worrying. The BMA and the health profession have been advancing for some time the importance of raising the awareness of alcohol in particular,” he added.
The figures, obtained through a Freedom of Information request, show that more than 800 children have attended casualty in each of the past three years in cases where alcohol is a factor.
Hundreds more have been seen after taking drugs, although figures are not necessarily for substance abuse as they may include incidents such as an accidental swallowing of tablets or medication overdose.
See extensive report with video coverage by Robert Peston at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-14558327