Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
LONDON, Dec 15, 2003 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- Children as young as 10 are being treated for heroin and cocaine addiction in Liverpool clinics, a new study showed Monday.
The East Liverpool Echo said the survey also says there are at least 50 children under 16 being treated at other clinics.
Researchers at John Moore University's Center for Public Health studied drug abuse statistics compiled during the past decade, looking at 9,000 addicts in treatment in the region. Officials, however, estimated the actual number of addicts might be twice as many.
The drug study indicated significant growth of crack cocaine and people using drugs at younger ages. The researchers said the average age of heroin users in the study was 19.8 years.
Copyright 2003 by United Press International.
