Nearly 100 teens treated for drugs

According to figures released by NHS Tayside, 91 youths between the ages of 13 and 18 were admitted for treatment for drug abuse.

They had taken substances including legal highs, heroin, amphetamines and methadone.

It comes as police and the health board issued a warning about the dangers of taking drugs after two teenagers fell ill in unconnected incidents in Perth over the weekend.

A 15-year-old boy remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital after an incident on Friday.

It is understood he may have taken a type of ecstasy tablet.

In separate incident, another 15-yearold boy is i n a serious but stable condition in hospital after consuming unknown substances on Sunday.

Chief Inspector Maggie Pettigrew, local area commander for Perth, said: “Our thoughts are with both these young boys who are currently receiving treatment in hospital.

“A 17-year-old man has been charged in connection with the incident on Friday and inquiries are continuing in relation to Sunday’s incident.

“I would like to stress that both of these incidents are completely unconnected.”

She added: “Our message is clear. There is no safe way to take drugs — there is always a risk. The effects can be unpredictable and can cause serious harm or even death.”

Andy Reddick, consultant in emergency medicine for NHS Tayside, said: “The use of a variety of recreational drugs, including New Psychoactive Substances, ecstasy, amphetamines, diazepam, heroin and cocaine, can lead to an emergency attendance at hospital.

“The clinical scenarios we see in the emergency department include lifethreatening organ failure, breathing difficulties, obstructed airways and injuries sustained because of extreme behavioural reactions.

“Patients are regularly admitted to intensive care and high dependency units as well as our emergency department ward due to illegal drug use.”

Mr Reddick added: “People can die after arriving at hospital due to their level of toxicity from the substance they have taken.”

ALMOST 100 teenagers were treated in Tayside A&E departments having taken drugs in the last year.

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Ch Insp Maggie Pettigrew