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Teachers' union: Don't give your kids pocket money because they might spendit on alcohol

PARENTS should stop giving their children pocket money because they might use it to buy alcohol, a teaching union has said.

The Ulster Teachers' Union (UTU) wants the Department of education to investigate the growing problem of alcohol misuse by children.

In the last three years 115 pupils - mostly girls - have been suspended for coming to class drunk or bringing alcohol to schools.

A further 264 young people have received suspensions for substance misuse over the same period. UTU general secretary Avril Hall Callaghan called on the department to tackle the issue following the publication of figures showing nearly 300 children aged 11 or under were admitted to A&e units last year caused by drinking. The UK-wide data showed that 6,500 under-18s were admitted in 2012-13 and that although fewer children were drinking, those who were might be drinking more. "This is an issue decision-makers need to be aware of - this is yet another challenge facing teachers," Ms Hall Callaghan said. "It is not hard for teachers to spot children who are drinking or are hung-over. While teachers give advice to young people already, they wouldn't want this turning into another duty and another set of bureaucracies." Suspensions are in decline, falling from 49 in 2010/11 to 25 in 2012/13. "Parents must take on their responsibilities too and not be giving young people the pocket money or income to do this," Ms Hall Callaghan said. "It is important for parents to act as role models and educate them in sensible drinking habits. "The adult workplace has policies which restrict employees working under the influence of alcohol. Perhaps this should be extended to schools."