Drugs crackdown in seaside town

POLICE have launched a crackdown on drug dealers after a 13-year-old girl spent almost a week in a coma after taking an ecstasy pill.

The schoolgirl collapsed after taking a version of the drug known as a Mitsubishi. She was rushed to Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children in June and placed in a coma by doctors while she was treated.

The incident happened in Saltcoats, Ayrshire, weeks after a 13-year-old boy fell ill after taking the drug.

Both schoolkids are understood to have made a full recovery. A 16-year-old male was later arrested in connection with the alleged supply of drugs in respect to the teenage girl’s collapse.

Now police have launched a crackdown on suspected drug dealers in and around the seaside town.

A police spokeswoman confirmed: “A 13-year-old girl was taken by ambulance to Crosshouse Hospital, Kilmarnock, after taking unwell and collapsing in Leighdikes Park, Saltcoats, on June 17. She was transferred to hospital in Glasgow for treatment.

“A full investigation was carried out and a 16-year-old man was arrested in connection with the alleged supply of drugs on July 7.

“A report has been sent to the procurator fiscal and Scottish Children’s Reporter. In a separate incident, a boy took unwell on May 15 in Adam’s Avenue, Saltcoats.

“He was taken to Crosshouse Hospital and released after treatment. No one was arrested. We work continuously to combat drugs in our local communities.

“We would reiterate warnings about the dangers of taking unknown substances as people can never be sure what they are actually taking.”