THERE have been calls for more to be done to warn young people about the dangers of alcohol after a 14-year-old was left fighting for his life after drinking too much.
The teenager was transferred to Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital last month after taking ill.
It is understood the schoolboy, who is from the Glenelly Valley area of Co Tyrone, drank alcohol before catching a bus to a club in Cookstown.
It is believed he was taken to hospital after falling seriously ill on route.
He spent several weeks fighting for his life before eventually showing signs of recovery over recent days.
The teenager’s parents have maintained a bedside vigil at the hospital since their son was taken ill.
His sudden illness has sent shockwaves through the community where his family is well known.
Details of the case emerged after the Irish News revealed that the PSNI seized one item of alcohol from children every hour in the north.
Drink has been confiscated from minors by police 7,500 times in the last five years, including from three 10-year-olds, two children aged 11 and six 12-year-olds.
Independent Derry and Strabane councillor Patsy Kelly said more needs to be done to tackle underage drinking.
“We have to see the Policing and Community Safety Partnerships and council putting resources into tackling this,” he said.
“Getting out into the community and youth groups and talk about the dangers of drinking.”
Mr Kelly said social media social be used to get the anti-alcohol message out to young people and urged parents to “make their children aware of the dangers”.
