IF YOU'RE one of those parents who likes to hide their head in the sand, today's story about underage boozers in Heworth should make sobering reading.

In a single night, police seized more than 200 cans and bottles from teenagers.

Still think your children aren't drinking too much?

The crackdown was part of an operation to tackle antisocial behaviour. Hopefully it will make some youngsters think twice about their drinking habits.

What is most shocking about the haul, however, is some parents seem to be actively encouraging youngsters to drink, as two parents were fined for buying booze for their children.

Maybe they thought they were being cool. Maybe they thought there was nothing wrong with their offspring having a few drinks. They were wrong.

As we reported yesterday, binge drinking is reaching epidemic proportions. The number of men dying from alcohol-related disease more than doubled in the 12 years to 2005. And alcohol is responsible for a host of other health problems too: everything from liver damage to heart disease and psychiatric disorders.

It is doubly dangerous for the young. Alcohol is far more damaging to young bodies than to adults. In smaller and lighter people, its effects are concentrated, the Department of Health warns. "So alcohol will affect a person who isn't fully grown more quickly."

The police are to be congratulated for their action in Heworth. But that isn't the only area of York where young people are out boozing illegally. It happens everywhere.

Adults have a responsibility to know what their children are doing, and to make sure they aren't putting their health at risk.

As for those two parents who bought booze for their children: shame on you.