GIRL, 5, SMOKES DOPE

A nine-year-old and a 13-year-old also smoke drugs and drink alcohol.

A five-year-old Territory girl has been smoking cannabis, it was learned
last night. The case is being investigated by Family and Children's Services.

The Department last night refused to confirm an inquiry was under way.

But a former FACS officer said: "The child's case has been referred to an
assessment team to follow up.

"There have been no reports of physical violence towards the child - just
drug abuse."

The Northern Territory News has obtained photographs that show the
five-year-old girl preparing to light a bong in a house in Palmerston.

A 13-year-old is pictured lighting a bong while her 13-year-old friend
pours herself a glass of sherry.

The neighbour, who admits to being a drug user, said the five-year-old girl
helped herself to the bong.

"She lit it and correctly breathed the smoke in without any adult help,"
the woman said.

The girl also smokes cigarettes. "This is serious stuff - she acts like an
addict," the neighbour said.

"If she doesn't get that ganja or tobacco then she chucks a tantrum - she
throws herself on the ground and screams until she can get her hit.

"I've worked with addicts my whole life but I've never seen a five-year-old
addict.

"I've seen teenagers and adult addicts and their stages of aggression - the
behaviour that this child is displaying is exactly like that.

"We're not talking about a one-off, it's not an accident.

"If FACS tested that child tomorrow she'd have THC in her blood."

Health Department spokeswoman Bernadette Keefe said last night: "If there
is evidence of a five-year-old involved in drug use we would be immediately
concerned and take action.

"But that is not the information we have received."

But when asked what information the department had received, Ms Keefe said:
"I can't comment on that."