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ALCOHOL

Adolescent alcohol abuse growing in Berlin

Berlin emergency services have logged the treatment of 853 young teens treated for alcohol abuse since the year began, in what seems to be a growing trend, daily Die Welt reported on Wednesday.

Adolescent alcohol abuse growing in Berlin
Photo: DPA

A recent case involved a 13-year-old picked up in the Charlottenburg district with a blood alcohol content level of 0.11 after concerned neighbours called police, the paper reported. The incident is just one of the 92 children and adolescents who were taken in for treatment this August, according to numbers released by police.

School breaks are the most problematic time of the year when it comes to youth alcohol abuse, the paper reported, adding that many kids pilfer their parent’s alcohol stash while left home alone.

Meanwhile, many bars, discos and kiosks sell alcohol to underage drinkers. A recent sting operation uncovered some 20 violations in just 40 establishments Die Welt reported.

Transporting an intoxicated child home costs some €281, the paper reported, which is why Berlin police are pleading for parents to take more responsibility for what their children consume.

The topic of “coma boozing” has been hotly debated in Berlin after a 16-year-old died after drinking 50 tequila shots in early 2007. Many bars offer flat rate “all you can drink” specials.