Fears for teenagers drinking in park

Another teenager lapsed into unconsciousness through drink after throwing up on officers.

These were just two incidents over the weekend in Lurgan Park which police described as ‘particularly concerning’ and prompted them to make a direct appeal to parents.

In a social media post, police said: “Parents of Lurgan, I’m sure you’re aware of the anti-social behaviour in Lurgan Park and surrounding that is going on at the moment.

“The last three Saturdays we’ve had reports of children unconscious from drink amongst the many other calls with regards to young people drinking.

“Yesterday (Saturday) we had two reports in Lurgan Park which are particularly concerning. One was a 14 year old who became unconscious after throwing up on police arrival.

“Another 15 year old fell into the Lake because he was so intoxicated.

“Both attended hospital via ambulance. Neither have any recollection.”

Police went on to relate the story of a 13-year-old girl and her mother: ”On a recent Saturday mum dropped her daughter to a friends at 1pm. She was then contacted a short time later to collect her now extremely intoxicated unconscious daughter in Lurgan Park.

“Mum discovered on this day that her daughter had fallen out with this friend weeks ago and instead was meeting with a group of people unknown to mum. This group appear to be able to get alcohol regularly, and are then taking the drink early enough so that they are sober again for going home.

“Mum has never suspected a thing as her daughter always appeared sober when she collected her, and she’s now wondering how long this has been going on for.

“Parents, do you really know what your kids are doing and who they’re with?

“We’re finding CHILDREN black out drunk and on occasion unconscious from alcohol on a far too regular basis.

“Whilst these children are drinking in the early afternoon to be sober for going home in the evening, the dangers are still there and increase further the darker it gets.

“There’s a huge lake for one and lots of areas that if your child became unconscious in, it would be difficult to find them. Once it gets dark and the gates lock, there are no lights in the park and the spikes on the fence are also extremely dangerous for these children when they’re climbing in and trespassing.”

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