Children as Young as 10 Being Treated for Drug Abuse in Australia
A new report shows that Australian children as young as 10 are being treated for amphetamine, marijuana, and alcohol abuse. The Federal Government report also reveals that 12-year-olds are using heroin and a child under 13 was treated for cocaine use last year.
The children are the youngest of a growing number of Australians needing counseling, rehabilitation, and other treatments for drugs and alcohol each year, the Herald Sun reports.
While it does not reveal exact numbers of young drug users, an Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report released today reveals:
A handful of 10 to 13-year-olds were treated for amphetamine use in 2007-08.
Up to 120 12- to 13-year-olds, as well as a small number of 10- to11-year-olds, were treated for marijuana abuse.
About 130 12- to 13-year-olds as well as a smaller number of 10- to 11-year-olds needed help with alcohol issues.
Institute spokeswoman Amber Jefferson said the only silver lining in the report was that it was an indication that at least people were seeking help.
"Nobody likes to think about young people using drugs, but from the population prevalence we know there are a small proportion of young people who do use drugs," she said. "But it is a good thing they are seeking treatment."
Overall, 154,000 Australians needed help to deal with alcohol and other drugs in 2007-2008, up 7,000 from the previous year.
The Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Services in Australia 2007-2008 report shows that problem drinking is increasing, with more than 65,000 Australians a year needing help.
Treatment for alcohol accounted for 44 percent of all drug treatment in Australia in 2007-2008, compared with 38 percent in 2002-2003.
After dropping in popularity in the early 2000s, heroin issues began rising again last year with 15,571 people needing treatment.