Police dealt with seven youngsters who had drunk too much

The girl from Arbroath was one of seven youngsters that officers in the county dealt with last weekend.

The majority were taken home to their parents, who were informed they had been drinking.

The action by police was part of Operation Dry Up, a crackdown on underage drinking and the anti-social behaviour it can cause.

Insp Ron McNaughton, of Tayside Police, said: "Clearly this kind of behaviour has a significant impact on the resources of the police, paramedics and hospitals, but that is not our primary concern.

"We are worried about vulnerability of the youngsters who are found so drunk that they are unable to care for themselves.

Excessive alcohol intake can seriously affect health, physically and emotionally Susan Wilson Angus Community Health Partnership

"As the weekend approaches I would ask parents and carers to be proactive.

"Make sure you know where your children are, what they are doing and who they are with.

"If they return home smelling of alcohol, challenge them about their behaviour."

The concerns were reinforced by Susan Wilson, from Angus Community Health Partnership, who said: "Our staff is regularly faced with the problems caused by young people who have been drinking alcohol.

"The long-term effects on the health of the young people found in this way are a major concern for us all.

"Excessive alcohol intake can seriously affect health, physically and emotionally."

Since April 2007, a total of 1,066 litres of alcohol has been confiscated from youngsters in Angus, which is up on the previous year's figure.