EDINBURGH, Scotland - July 14, 2006 (UPI) -- A rise in violent classroom behavior in Edinburgh, Scotland, is being blamed on increased exposure to alcohol among children.
New figures show that violence in Edinburgh schools has almost doubled in the past four years, often involving a student punching or kicking a teacher. Many teachers are reporting children being hung over after a night of drinking, causing them to act surly and uncontrollable the next day, the Edinburgh Evening News reported.
Elementary school children arriving hung over is of particular concern.
"It is pretty clear that more and more young pupils have access to alcohol at evenings and weekends," said Bill McGregor, general secretary for the Headteachers Association of Scotland.
"We have evidence of younger and younger children, including those of primary school age, being exposed to alcohol," said Tom Wood, chairman of Action on Alcohol and Drugs in Edinburgh.
The warning comes after the reported hospital treatment of a 7-year old boy for alcohol poisoning.
Copyright 2006 by United Press International
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