Police probe new claims pupils are smoking cannabis
Secondary school pupils from Rutherglen and Cambuslang are being reminded of the dangers of taking drugs.
Police were on patrol in the Burnside area early last week, acting on information which had been anonymously received, after claims that pupils had being going behind the shops on Stonelaw Road to smoke cannabis joints.
Although no pupils were found to be carrying drugs, items relating to making joints were found at the location.
Now, South Lanarkshire Council and the police are reminding them of the dangers of drugs.
Inspector Jim Gillespie, from Rutherglen Police, said: “We received an anonymous report of people partaking in controlled drugs, which were investigated by campus officers from the local secondary schools.
“They searched a number of people and no drugs were found, although some drugs- related paraphenalia was found.
“Our campus officers will be working in conjunction with the schools, to remind the young people of the dangers of taking drugs.”
Anne Rooney, head of education at South Lanarkshire Council, confirmed they would continue to enforce warnings over taking drugs.
She said: “Schools will continue to reinforce positive lifestyle messages to pupils.
“All schools operate a zero tolerance approach to drug or other substance misuse.
“Numerous programmes are in place, delivered by a range of partners including the campus police officers, to promote an ongoing, robust antidrugs message.”
One concerned shop assistant told the Reformer: “It’s been a real worry in the last few weeks, as you see all the kids from the schools coming here, and disappearing round the back of the shops.
“We were really pleased to see the police were paying attention to the area last week, as it gives us a bit of reassurance, because you don’t want to go round the back and find some high kids there - you just don’t know what they’ll do.”