By Jo Macfarlane PUBLISHED: 18:17 EST, 9 March 2013 | UPDATED: 02:54 EST, 11 March 2013 Monitored: Troubled star Lindsay Lohan wearing the tag on her ankle. The device has been fitted to 274,000 people in America since 2003 Parents with a history of alcohol abuse are being fitted with US-style ‘booze bracelets’ to determine whether they can keep custody of their children. In the first UK trial of its kind, the highly controversial ankle tags have been given to more than a dozen problem parents by the Family Drug and Alcohol Court (FDAC) so a check can be kept on their promises to stay sober.
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Family Drug and Alcohol Court given bracelets to more than a dozen parents
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Devices detect traces of alcohol through the skin and are used in the U.S
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UK trial began in November in cases where children were taken into care
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Court warned parents that they must change drinking habits or lose children
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Lohan had one fitted after failing to turn up for a drink-driving court date
The @placeholder says the system has proved highly successful and in a couple of cases parents have been allowed to return home with their children.