The number of people under the age of 16 treated for alcohol or drug dependency in Auckland has increased by more than15% in the past calendar year.
Some 382 young people were refered to the Community Alcohol and Drug Service in 2010 - one of whom was just nine years old.
The service's regional manager, Robert Steenhuisen, says while it is impossible to cite a trend with just two years of data, the number of young people with drug and alcohol problems is concerning.
He believes many are yet come to their attention.
The service treated 15,000 people in total last year.
