The Sunday Post (Inverness)

Ecstasy warning as boy, 15, fights for life

Shock incident comes weeks after death of Shellie, 16

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last night confirmed his condition was critical but stable.

The other three boys – who are also believed to have taken the substance – were released after treatment.

Police closed the field and searched the area which is a hotspot for youths to go drink and take drugs in large groups.

One neighbour told The Sunday Post everyone was just pleased the boy was alive.

The local said they had heard the boy might have taken ecstasy before he got into trouble, adding that he and his friends had been “out of their heads”.

“A girl went on to the field with her dog and found him. She phoned the police and the ambulance.”

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The same local told us that the area was synonymous with teenagers drinking, adding: “It’s mental the amount of people that go up and down here – its phenomenal.

“There’s a massive field at the back of the college and the school.

“It’s busy with dog walkers and the bairns will go down there to drink and they are constantly smashing bottles and everything.

“The young ones go down and make a hell of a racket and carry-on. “It’s quite dangerous.” Social media was full of concern following the incident.

Fiona Louise Matthews wrote on Facebook: “Saw this poor lad last night. Laying on the field outside Goodlyburn. Poor lad was making

The boy was believed to have been found in a field in Perth, above. The incident comes only two weeks after the death of 16-year-old Shellie Callaghan, left. some noise. His pals were stood around him.”

Local councillor John Flynn said action was needed against people who supply youngsters with drugs.

He said: “I’m glad he’s in hospital and he’s being taken care of.

“It must be a very worrying time for his parents.

“As a councillor I’m concerned these drugs are available and I hope young people will realise how dangerous this is and that they shouldn’t take them. “But who is selling these drugs? “I would l i ke to see them apprehende­d.”

Tayside Chief Inspector Gary Ogilvie said: “One line of inquiry is that all four boys had possibly consumed a type of ecstasy tablet.

“Officers are currently investigat­ing the circumstan­ces of this incident. In the meantime I would urge the public, especially those planning on going out socialisin­g, to be aware of this incident and think twice about taking any unknown substance.

“The only way of staying safe is to avoid drugs altogether.”

Anyone who has informatio­n that could assist officers with their investigat­ion are asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 or the charity Crimestopp­ers anonymousl­y on 0800 555 111.

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