Written question asked by Iris Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party) on Thursday, 27 January 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 3 February 2005. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Basildon (Labour) on Thursday, 3 February 2005 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many children (a) attended and (b) were admitted to hospital in the Province as the result of (i) alcohol and (ii) illegal drug use in the last year for which figures are available. - Inc figure.

Answer: Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many children (a) attended and (b) were admitted to hospital in the Province as the result of (i) alcohol and (ii) illegal drug use in the last year for which figures are available. [212175] Angela Smith: Information is not available centrally on the number of children who attended hospital as a result of alcohol or illegal drug use. Information is collected on the number of admissions1 of children to Northern Ireland hospitals as the result of alcohol and illegal drug use. In 2003-04 (the latest data available) there were 90 admissions (based on primary diagnosis) to acute hospitals in Northern Ireland for children aged 16-years or under with an alcohol related illness. In 2003-04 there were seven admissions (based on primary diagnosis) to acute hospitals in Northern Ireland for children aged 16-years or under with an illegal drug related illness. 1 Discharges and Deaths are used as an approximation for admissions.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 212175; 430 c1070-1W
Session: 2004-05
Subjects: Children Admissions Alcoholic drinks Hospitals Drugs Northern Ireland Misuse
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk