Fireworks dangers highlighted

POLICE were called out to a city street after yobs set off fireworks.

Locals reported youngsters setting off the pyrotechnics in the Harestane Road and Baldovan Road area i n Kirkton in Dundee.

The fireworks were set off around 6.30pm on Tuesday.

Officers traced a group of youths in the vicinity in connection with the incident.

A spokesman for Police Scotland t oday appealed for others to avoid such “reckless” behaviour.

He added: “While this isn’t the usual time of year for this to happen, the inherent risks and dangers of mishandling fireworks and recklessly letting them off remain just as high.

“We would like to remind everyone t hat, not only i s it illegal to sell or supply fireworks to a person under the age of 18, but it is also illegal f or any person under the age of 18 to be in possession of a firework in a public place.”

Lennon McKay spent weeks in intensive care after ingesting a red and white capsule as part of a game on social media site Snapchat.

The St John’s High pupil recovered from his ordeal, but police are now ramping up their efforts to improve drug awareness in Dundee’s secondary schools.

Members of Strathmartine’s Local Community Planning Partnership were told at a meeting that several talks have already been delivered to schools in the ward.

These include an interactive session where youngsters act out a court case to highlight the impact of drugs on young people. A number of talks have been carried out and more are still to come.

Presenting the police report, PC Jenny Jones told the meeting: “We are trying to cover more drugs talks in schools.

“This is after what happened to a 14-year-old boy and we are really trying our hardest to get the message out there.

“It’s been positive. A lot of children in these talks have families where substance abuse is present, so it is really difficult to get them involved.

“We’re looking to do a lot more talks really soon.”

Lennon fell unconscious at home in Downfield a few days before Christmas after swallowing the capsule.

He was taken to Ninewells Hospital and was unconscious for nearly two weeks, only waking up on Hogmanay.

During Lennon’s recovery, his aunt, Ashley Moodie, launched a campaign with the slogan “Team Lennon — Hugs, Not Drugs” in a bid to try to stop

POLICE are i ncreasing drugs talks in schools after a 14-year-old boy almost died from taking a pill.

other city youngsters taking illegal substances.

Councillor John Alexander, leader of Dundee City Council who represents the area, spoke of a recent TV report on Dundee’s drug “crisis”.

“I know it is a really sensitive issue,” he said.

“I’m thinking back to the Channel 4 News piece with the parent’s situation with her child — the value of her daughter’s life was a £10 bag of drugs. I’m sure there would be parents out there and relatives to help people and go down and participate in these talks.”

Ashley said that she was 100% behind the police initiative.

“It’s fantastic that the police are holding these talks,” she said.

“If this is the start of something good that’s come out of what happened to Lennon, then we are absolutely delighted. I would be more than happy to support the police and even get involved.

“I have already said that I would be keen to go around schools and talk with children about what happened to Lennon and what drugs can do.”

Lennon at home after making his recovery from taking a pill.