Ticking bomb

Researchers found that 14 and 15-year-olds who got drunk when unsupervised were at particular risk of hurting themselves in fights or com-pleting drunken dares.

Now Swindon and Wiltshire Alcohol and Drug Service (SWADS) are urging parents to take on a more responsible role.

The study carried out by the Trust for the Study of Adolescence quizzed 64 young people aged 14 to 17.

All reported they had been involved in "risky" drinking behaviour.

It comes in the light of a special separate survey, which revealed teenage girls are now beating boys in the bad drinking stakes.

According to the latest study, a small number said they had got drunk to escape everyday problems even though they acknowledged the negative sides of alcohol abuse.

Bill Carlton, who is the assistant director of the drug service said that he sympathised with what certainly was a serious problem.

He said: "The early to mid teens can be a very difficult time. Many are shy and feel insecure about their appearance.

"Alcohol anaesthetises these feelings and creates an illusion of invincibility."

Mr Carlton believes a continental attitude to booze could be the answer.

He said: "If you look at the European model where children are introduced to alcohol at the dining room table you will see that there are always fewer problems.

"A sensible attitude to drink from parents would certainly have a lot of advantages."

Last year a special three-year project funded by lottery cash came to an end.

A SWADS councillor toured secondary schools in the town, discussing the issues of drug-taking and underage drinking.

"We had a good response to the project and it's a shame that it came to an end it was a good service," said Mr Carlton.

Youth information groups, Connexions and Stepping Forward also work with young people on issues such as these.

Julie Hayward, 47, from Greenmeadow, said she wasn't surprised by the latest findings.

Teenage daughter Amanda, now 17, is lucky to be alive after she was struck by a car in 2002 while boozing with pals in Croft Road, Old Town.

The girl broke shattered her pelvis in two places, fractured her left arm and broke her thumb.

Mrs Hayward, who has visited youth groups warning youngsters of the dangers of booze, said: "Although it was her decision, there was definitely peer pressure involved.

"Teenagers like to test the water and unfortunately it's still too easy for them to get hold of alcohol. It's given to them on a plate."

SWADS can be contacted on 01793 695405.

What the pro says

POLICE surgeon, Dr Peter Crouch, wants

secure booze centres set up in Swindon to deal with drunks.

Dr Peter Crouch, a surgeon for 11 years, says 24-hour drinking with stretch both police and medics.

Birmingham and Cardiff have already experimented with so-called "drying-out" centres.

Now Dr Crouch, of Taw Hill Surgery, who is principle surgeon for Wiltshire Police, wants them introduced to our patch.

"People who are close to losing consciousness through alcohol cannot be safely monitored inside a metal box," he said.

"If these people are violent or abusive then lock them up.

"But custody should only be for people who have committed crimes.

"Over New Year other towns established one-off health facilities in town halls and similar public buildings."

Dr Crouch's comments come in the light of a new survey by Medix UK, which shows 71 per cent of GPs believe NHS funding would be eaten up as a result of the extended drinking.

More than half said the NHS did not have the resources to cope.

Meanwhile, Dr Michael Hillier, a consultant physician at GWH, predicts big problems.

He said: "Alcohol already costs the NHS £2 billion a year. If you increase the availability of alcohol and decrease the cost more alcohol will be drunk."

Kevin Shoesmith