DEDICATED services should be set up to help the thousands of Glasgow children from families affected by alcohol abuse, says a Scottish Executive- funded report.

The study also demands more research into the effects of parental drinking on youngsters and a public awareness campaign to highlight the problem.

Figures show 4132 Glasgow children under the age of 16 live with parents who have alcohol problems, while 3816 live with a mother or father who abuses drugs.

There are also around 3000 city children who are in care or are homeless because parents with drug or alcohol problems.

The report was published by the Scottish Association of Alcohol and Drug Action Teams, an ideas group formed and funded by the Scottish Executive, and the children's charity Aberlour.

Addie Stevenson, chief executive of Aberlour, said: "Tolerant attitudes towards alcohol are having a significant and sometimes devastating effect on children.

"Living with parental alcohol abuse may appear less stigmatising than living with parental drug abuse for our children and young people.

"However, ignoring the impact on them, and on parenting and family life is like sticking our heads in the sand.

"If we are to really help today's and tomorrow's children we must work together and face the challenges raised in this report."

The study says the emphasis needs to shift from drugs to alcohol because around 100,000 Scottish children are affected by parental alcohol abuse.

It calls for adult services to expand their remit to include the needs of children, earlier intervention to prevent some of the harm experienced by young people, and for affected children to have dedicated services.

Tom Wood, chairman of the Alcohol and Drug Action Teams, said: "We welcome this important piece of work.

"The next step is to ensure its implications are reflected in policy and practice."