Alcohol, drug abuse sees 42,000 Brit pupils sent home

London, Nov 3 : With substance abuse on the rise, around 42,000 Brit pupils have been sent home for alcohol or drug-related reasons in the past four years.

The finding made on November 2 also revealed that half a million under-18s have been able to buy alcohol in bars.

The easy availability of alcohol was not the only problem, with 47 per cent of the youngsters, who drank regularly, admitting to having committed criminal offences.

The Liberal Democrats, who uncovered the official 2003-2007 data, said Britain's kids risked being condemned to a future of "addiction and criminality".

"The Government's failure to tackle the binge-drinking culture in this country is having a horrendous impact on a whole generation of young people," the Sun quoted party leader Nick Clegg as saying.

Clegg backs a "one strike and you're out" policy for those who sell alcohol to under-age drinkers, which would see licences removed.

ANI