Youngsters Become Criminals Due To Alcohol and Drugs

According to a report it is found that there is an increase in number of children charged with alcohol/drug-related crimes. Campaigners asked for tougher action to tackle young criminals. According to the statistics the number of children under the age of 16 charged for criminal offences due to alcohol increased by more than 150 % in the past year. The crimes include violence, sexual crimes and theft. But the figures of the number of juveniles charged with drug dealing fell by two-thirds. Violent crime cases rose to 153 from 138 last year.

Tom Wood, chairman of the Edinburgh Drug and Alcohol Action Team, said that the scenario is very disturbing. The number of children between eight and 15 years old caught with drugs leapt from 106 in 2004 to 145 this year. The main reason for these increasing figures is the problems in the family backgrounds. Ewan Aitken, city education leader, said that the problem could be dealt through education, but also through having positive adult role models.