AN INVERCLYDE teenager is one of the youngest people in Scotland to get special treatment for drug and alcohol abuse, it has been revealed.

The 14-year-old is highlighted in a UK-wide survey of hundreds of youngsters needing help because they are at risk of becoming addicts through exposure or abusing substances themselves.

The news was described today as ‘depressing but not surprising’ by Greenock & Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil who is also convener of the Scottish Parliament’s health committee.

Councils across Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland were asked for details of children being treated for drugs and alcohol abuse.

Inverclyde was one of the councils which supplied figures following the Freedom of Information request.

Mr McNeil said: “These are desperately sad figures but, given the nature of drug and alcohol abuse in homes around the country, we should not be surprised that young people in these circumstances are taking drugs or alcohol at an early age.

“This is a long-term problem, but we have to redouble our efforts to protect them and prevent addiction, and must be prepared to intervene.” But the MSP stressed there was also positive news on efforts to reduce drug and alcohol abuse.

He said: “We are much better at supporting children and families now, and figures show that drug use among young people is on the decline.” Mr McNeil’s remarks were echoed by Inverclyde Council, who said drug and alcohol-related deaths are reducing here, and the trend is that far fewer young people are becoming involved with problematic use of drugs and alcohol.

In Inverclyde, the number of under-18 referrals to specialist drug and alcohol services in 2011/12 was 14 and it fell to three in 2012/13.

And the age of the youngest referral in each year was 14 and 16.

A spokesman for Inverclyde Community Health and Care Partnership said: “We follow Scottish Government recommendations in respect of promoting early intervention to prevent harm and to support young people and their families with problems arising from the misuse of alcohol and drugs.

“Keeping children safe is everyone’s business and a priority.

“We actively promote mindfulness and effective communication around concerns about substance use which may lead to dependancy and may be indicative of other problems and stresses in young people’s lives.” The youngest referral in Scotland was a four-year-old in South Ayrshire — also the youngest case in Britain.