Children as young as nine referred for drug and alcohol treatment in South

Hundreds of children across the UK have been referred for specialist drug and alcohol services.

An investigation by the Press Association produced the figures, which reveal primary school children are at risk of becoming addicts.

Children as young as nine have been seen for drug or alcohol related problems in Oxfordshire, whilst Medway has seen referrals for children as young as eleven.

The youngest recorded age of referral nationally is four years old, in South Ayrshire.

Charities are now calling for improved drug and alcohol education in schools to make pupils aware of how drugs and other substances can harm the body.

Treatment experts say most people they see come into contact with drugs and alcohol through their parents. They say preventative work is the only way stop substance misuse amongst young people.