CHILDREN `PREY TO DRUGS' IN CASH CRISIS

SOME Northern Ireland teenagers are falling prey to drink, drugs and
prostitution because of a crisis in child support services, it has been
claimed.

Women's Coalition Assembly member Monica McWilliams said a combination of
poor funding and the closure of several homes was adding to the social
problems in towns and cities as more children returned to the streets.

She welcomed a decision by the Assembly's health and social services
committee to hold an inquiry into child services, but warned that the sector
was currently "at crisis point".

She said: "There is growing alarm among child service organisations and
boards about insufficient funding for children's services and the closure of
secure units and homes.

"The funding crisis has been so bad there is now not enough places in secure
units and social workers are burnt out.

"More and more young people are returning to the streets where they can be
preyed on by paedophiles and where they are being exposed to drink, drugs
and in some cases, are walking the streets.

"That is alarming many communities."

She claimed also that juveniles were also facing added pressures from
paramilitaries who had been asked to police their areas.

"In one district, parents are being ordered to keep young people under house
arrest," said Ms McWilliams.