Parents of drunk children face fines

Parents of drunk children may be subject to counselling and fines as part of a NSW government program to crack down on underage drinking.

Nearly 1,700 children were treated in hospital for alcohol in the past year - some as young as 10.

At Sutherland, in southern Sydney, police are trialling a program that requires parents to attend counselling sessions with children who are caught drinking.

If they fail to attend, they could face fines of up to $500.

Up to 140 underage drinkers and their parents are attending the sessions.

"Parents have two chances of turning up," a police spokeswoman said. "If they don't end up attending the session, then the fine is issued."

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