Man arrested as drug teenager fights for life

PERTH: Three friends fall ill after taking ecstasy-type tablet near a school

Police have arrested a 17-year-old man after a 15-year-old boy became critically ill when he is believed to have taken drugs.

The youngster collapsed near a Perth primary school after taking what is thought to have been an ecstasy tablet. Locals said the boy, whose three friends also fell ill, was in a coma. Doctors said his condition is critical but stable.

Police issued a drugs warning after the teen collapsed on Friday night. The 17-year-old who has been charged with drug offences is expected to appear at Perth Sheriff Court today.

The incident follows the sudden death of a 16-year-old girl at a house party in Newtongrange. Last week, a 13-year-old girl was rushed to hospital after apparently taking drugs in Clarkston, East Renfrewshire.

A Perth schoolboy is fighting for his life in hospital after taking a rogue ecstasy pill.

The 15-year-old collapsed in a field near Goodlyburn Primary School while out with friends.

Neighbours raised the alarm when they heard his screams of pain.

It is understood the youngster, who is in a serious condition at Ninewells Hospital, slipped into a coma.

His three friends, who are believed to have taken the same drug, also fell ill but were released from hospital after treatment.

It emerged last night that a 17-year-old man had been charged with drug offences in connection with the incident.

He is expected to appear in Perth Sheriff Court today.

Police Scotland issued a drugs alert, warning youngsters to avoid taking “unknown substances”.

It comes just two weeks after 16-yearold Shellie Callaghan died at her home in Midlothian.

Police put out warnings over ecstasy tablets known as Purple Ninja Turtles and Red Bugatti Veyrons after she died.

Police closed off the field and searched the area, which is a local hotspot for teenagers.

One neighbour said: “The poor boy was lying in the field, wailing. The noise he was making was horrible.

“It looked like his pals were standing around him when the police showed up.”

Another resident said the boy had been separated from his friends and was found, doubled up in pain, by a dog walker. She phoned for an ambulance.

It is understood that one of the boy’s relatives had also phoned police when the youngster had failed to come home.

All four boys were initially taken to Perth Royal Infirmary. The 15-year-old was transferred to Ninewells when he failed to respond to treatment.

Doctors described his condition as “critical but stable”.

Local MP Pete Wishart said: “I hope the young man makes a full recovery.

“This seems to be a recurrent issue in Scotland just now and, where we can’t conclusively prove there’s some sort of bad batch kicking around, the message to young people is to steer clear of drugs.”

Councillor John Flynn 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.”

He added: “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.”

Councillor Archie Maclellan added that it was the first serious incident of this nature in Perth.

“We have to get the message to all young people to be careful about taking these substances,” he said.

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

“Officers are 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.”

The poor boy was lying in the field, wailing. The noise he was making was horrible. NEIGHBOUR