The number of drug prescriptions to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder has risen from 92,100 in 1997 to 786,400 last year, NHS figures show. The rise has concerned child mental health experts who say medication is being given to children and young people instead of more expensive counselling and other non-drug treatments. The Daily Mail reports that some parents are also believed to be pressurising GPs for drugs to help boost their child's performance at school.
A survey by Alcohol Concern Cymru has found that young people are increasingly using online supermarket delivery services to buy alcohol. The BBC reports that the organisation found that 21 per cent of 14- and 15-year-olds questioned said they had bought alcohol online.
A dozen children’s charities have joined forces to call on the Scottish Government to raise the age of criminal responsibility from eight years old. The Daily Record reports that the organisations want the age to be increased to 12, in line with a change in recent years to the age at which children can be prosecuted. Organisations including Children 1st and the Children’s Commissioner have written to Scottish Children’s Minister Aileen Campbell.
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