UNDER age drinking is not a new problem. When the Prime Minister's son, 16-year-old Euan Blair, was discovered dishevelled from drink in London's Leicester Square, most adults thought back ruefully to their own unhappy early experiences of alcohol.

What is new is the number of teenagers who are actually hooked on drink. This disturbing phenomenon has been exposed by two court cases. In one, a York mum and dad were ordered by magistrates to take parenting lessons because they had no control over their teenage children. The couple told the Evening Press today that the demon drink was to blame.

In the other case, a 16-year-old York boy was locked up after a series of drunken outbursts. The court heard that his anti-social behaviour would continue unless his drink problem was tackled.

This is a dreadful state of affairs. Children should not be drinking their youth away. It is a problem that needs immediate attention.

One of the major causes of teenage alcohol abuse is the availability of drink. Today's youngsters have money, and can choose to spend it at the off licence if they look old enough. If not, no matter - the drink comes to them.

The illegal trade in alcohol bought in from France has led unscrupulous black marketeers to tour the York estates selling beer out of their car boots. They do not care who buys it - a customer is a customer, even if they are only 15.

We should not wonder why children want to drink. Advertising habitually portrays alcohol as an essential fashion accessory, while parents can teach their children bad habits by drinking heavily at home.

The reform of licensing laws may help. If children are introduced to alcohol in moderation through the expanding caf-bar culture, then it will no longer be part of the secret world of adulthood and may lose some of its allure.

And those parenting courses are a positive innovation. Bringing up children, particularly teenagers, is no picnic. Parents should be grateful for any outside help on offer.