8-year-old in rehab

A PRIMARY pupil had treatment for drug addiction at the age of just eight, it was revealed yesterday.

The child is the youngest in Scotland to be put in rehab for drugs. But two nine-year-olds, two 10-year-olds and three 11-year-olds were among more than 500 under-16s who also had treatment. And it is feared there could be many other children across the country whose addictions are not yet being tackled.

Figures revealed yesterday showed that last year, 548 youngsters under the age of 16 were put in rehab.

The exact type of drugs abused has not been disclosed but the Executive confirmed yesterday they were controlled substances - either illegal narcotics or powerful prescription medicines such as temazepam.

Deputy justice minister Hugh Henry released the figures in a written answer to the Scottish parliament after a string of high-profile cases in which children have died or become ill after taking drugs.

And the fact so many have been referred for rehab suggests far more children have serious addiction problems than previously thought.

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