NEARLY 100 children were admitted to Southend and Basildon’s A&E departments for alcohol or drug abuse last year, shocking figures have revealed.

A Freedom of Information request revealed 51 of those children were seen at Southend Hospital, with 39 going to Basildon.

The majority of children admitted for drinking alcohol and taking drugs last year were aged between 15 and 18.

But some as young as four were seen by Basildon’s A&E department, while the youngest age recorded in Southend was ten.

Community leaders have reacted with shock and disappointment at the figure.

Laurie Burton, councillor responsible for children and learning, said: “We take referrals of child-related alcohol and drug misuse very seriously, and have a young person’s drug and alcohol team that provides treatment and recovery support, advice and guidance to young people with substance misuse issues.

“We offer a variety of different therapies to help the young people address their substance issues and undertake preventative and educational work in schools and the wider community to educate young people about the dangers.”

Kerry Smith, Independent councillor for Nethermayne, agreed the figures were shocking.

He said: “No child should be drinking alcohol or taking drugs, these things have a bad affect on people let alone what they do to do children.

“Young people and children may see information on social media and think it’s the in thing to do but it is not.

“I think the situation is a pretty sad state of affairs.”

A spokesman for the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, which runs both Sourthend and Basildon hospitals, said: “All patients, including children and young people, who arrive at our emergency departments are assessed on a case-by-case basis, with appropriate actions taken to ensure they receive the best possible care.

“This care includes the assessment and management of their risk. Safeguarding procedures are followed, and where necessary a referral to appropriate agencies is made.”