Figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act show 100 youngsters aged under 16 were admitted to the hospital's A&E department from drugs-related problems, while 104 children under 16 were admitted because of alcohol issues.

• Click here to view the table.

And the shock figures also reveal drug misuse amongst the area's teens dramatically increases from the age of 13 – with just 21 12-year-olds and 25 13-year-olds admitted to King's Mill between 2004 and 2007, compared to 81 14-year-olds and 160 15-year-olds.

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According to the statistics, drink and drug consumption among children in Mansfield and Ashfield has also remained stable over the past four years — despite the raft of anti-drink and drug initiatives promoted in schools and youth groups such as D.A.R.E.

But Mansfield councillor Kate Allsop, who is also chairman of the Nottingham D.A.R.E education programme, told Chad that admissions were a tiny percentage and showed the anti-drink and drugs message was getting across.

'Trend'

She said: "An estimated 99.43 per cent of our young people of these age groups were not admitted to Kings Mill Hospital intoxicated through drink. This is despite the national trend of drinking by young people doubling in the last few years.

"I would like to attribute this success to D.A.R.E. – but there are too many other factors in a young person's life. However, D.A.R.E. does make a contribution to this success.

"The statistics also refer to the numbers of drug-related attendances increasing slightly from 92 four years ago to 100 in 2007.

"An estimated 99.45 per cent of our young people of these age groups did not attend Kings Mill Hospital for drug-related matters.

"Of the 0.55 per cent that did it is unclear what proportion related to recreational use. It is therefore a dangerous thing to use such sparse data and challenge a single education curriculum when so many other influences affect a young person's life."

Coun Allsop also revealed that D.A.R.E. was looking to develop a secondary school curriculum to build on its good work at primary level.

The figures were described this week as 'distressing' by Coun Joyce Bosnjak, portfolio holder for children and young people's services at Nottinghamshire County Council, who told Chad the relevant services had to work together to help improve the current situation.

Said Coun Bosnjak: "These issues need to be addressed as a collective group and not by a single organisation. We have to work together and bring together health, police, education and youth organisations.

"I am optimistic that this problem can be resolved if we all work together and use a joined-up approach. We should not be complacent on the subject.

"Parents also need to play their part and show more responsibility, too often kids are getting alcohol from parents or an older family member."

If you have a drink or drugs problem and need help contact D.A.R.E on 0115 900 7232, Face It on 0800 5877878, What About Me on Mansfield 635326, Hetty's on 0800 0850941 or FRANK on 0800 776600.