Leaving Certs ‘ are selling ecstasy’
Gardaí in Sligo have been in touch with local secondary schools following concerns Leaving Certificate students are selling ecstasy to fellow pupils.
And parents have also being told to come forward if they have any concerns following what has been described as an increase in drug taking amongst second and third level students.
The matter came to light when the Divisional Drugs Unit based at Sligo Garda Station carried out a number of searches of homes in the Sligo area where quantities of the drug was found. It is also understood that Gardaí have visited local secondary schools.
Gardaí say the ecstasy was found in the possession of secondary school students of leaving certificate age and there was evidence found to suggest that it was being sold and supplied to other students of similar age locally.
Overall, there has been a sharp rise in detections of drug seizures in the Sligo/ Leitrim Garda Division in the last year.
Since January 2017 alone, there have been 65 seizures which consist mainly of canna- bis and ecstasy compared with 35 for the same period in 2016.
Gardaí say that in most cases, the drugs are being used by second and third level students and young adults.
The largest increase in seizures has been in the Sligo Garda District which has shown an approximate 50% increase in the period to date in 2017 compared to the same period in 2016. Secondary schools in the Sligo area have been contacted and informed of these recent developments. Detective Sergeant Niall Davey of the Divisional Drugs Unit based at Sligo Garda Station has appealed to parents to make their children aware of the risks associated with the misuse of drugs.
If parents are concerned in respect of a family member Detective Sergeant Davey or other members of the Divisional Drugs Unit and can be contacted in the strictest confidence at Sligo Garda Station on 071 9157000.