Hunt for drugs at north-east school

Nothing found despite ‘big problem’

Police have carried out a search at a secondary school after reports of pupils misusing drugs.

Officers were sent to Ellon Academy but found no evidence of illicit substances. Details of the operation were revealed as parents used an online forum to discuss concerns – and said they had reported problems.

Police have carried out a search of an Aberdeenshire secondary school after reports of children misusing drugs.

Officers were sent to Ellon Academy but found no evidence of illicit substances.

It came as some parents discussed what they described as “so many stories” about drug misuse at the new community campus and a “big” problem in the town as a whole.

A local authority spokesman said: “Aberdeenshire Council can confirm police officers spoke to pupils at Ellon Academy on Wednesday.

“The officers conducted a search but found no evidence of drugs so no further action was taken.”

A police spokeswoman confirmed they were still conducting inquiries into a “non-specific” drugs problem and added: “We gave a special assembly to the pupils this week to talk about all manner of issues.”

Richard Thomson said: “Sadly, it’s a fact of life that all schools, no matter where they are or however positive their ethos, have to be vigilant at all times to the risks posed by drugs. I have confidence in the leadership that is in place at Ellon Academy to deal swiftly and effectively with any issues that occur in this regard.

“I would urge anyone who either sees or knows anything about drugs or antisocial behaviour in the Ellon area to pass that information to the police without delay.”

However, councillor Anouk Kahanov-Kloppert has a child at the school and said she was “unaware” of any such drug problem.

“I’ve not heard about drugs being offered before. There are a tiny group of kids seen about smoking outside of the boundaries of the academy which I deeply regret but surely that’s where parents should be responsible for their children’s wellbeing in the first place and where we all have a role to play openly discussing this behaviour, as I do.

“I am satisfied the school does everything it can on the subject and send my child with great confidence to school every day.”

Anyone with information about the supply of controlled drugs is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you wish to remain anonymous.

One concerned parent took to an online parents’ forum this week to discuss the problem after hearing “so many stories” about drug use.

Another said they had reported an incident to the school in June.

“My son went for his transition week and was offered drugs in the bit where they call the street up at the academy,” she said.

“We then went straight to the academy and spoke with the school and then got the CCTV from the street and found the child involved.

“It’s a sad reality of the times we live in and scary that our kids have to go into such an environment. There is a big drugs problem in Ellon as a whole unfortunately.”

Another agreed that there is a “big problem” and said that her son had been supplied with drugs at the school whilst in first year.

“My son went for his transition week and was offered drugs”