Alcohol and drug abuse on the rise in Guernsey

Guernsey's Accident and Emergency Department is treating more young people suffering the effects of either alcohol or drugs than ever before.

The Health and Social Services Department said 76 under-18s were treated during 2010, up from 67 in 2009.

It said the biggest rise over the past five years had been in the number of girls needing treatment, up 22 to 53.

While for boys in the same period there was a rise of just four to 23.

The figures record attendances at Accident and Emergency where drugs or alcohol are mentioned in the diagnosis.