Drugs warning as second boy battles for life

EXCLUSIVE: Teenager in court accused of drugs supply

Health bosses have issued a fresh drugs warning after a second Perth schoolboy was left battling for his life in hospital.

The 15-year-old fell seriously ill on Sunday night after taking what police described as an “unknown substance”.

Doctors said his condition was serious, but stable.

Police have stressed that the case was not linked to an incident at the weekend, when another 15-year-old was left in a coma after taking ecstasy.

A 17-year-old appeared at Perth Sheriff Court, accused of supplying class A tablets to the boy and three of his friends.

He made no plea and was released on bail.

The youngster is now on a life support system at Ninewells Hospital’s intensive care unit with his family by his side.

A teenager has appeared in court accused of selling ecstasy to schoolchildren in Perth.

One of the youngsters is now battling for his life at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.

The police issued a drugs alert after the 15-year-old victim collapsed near a Perth primary school on Friday night.

Yesterday a 17-year-old appeared at Perth Sheriff Court to face charges of supplying class A drugs to the boy and three of his friends.

The teenager is accused of selling tablets to the boys at land off Logie Crescent on Friday.

He made no plea and was released on bail.

All four boys are believed to have taken ecstasy, although one fell ill after taking a larger dose.

By the time the schoolboy reached Ninewells late on Friday night he was unconscious and having serious trouble breathing.

His family are said to be keeping a bedside vigil.

Doctors have described the boy’s condition as critical but stable.

The three others were released from hospital after treatment on Friday night.

Police issued a warning hours later, urging people to “think twice before taking any unknown substance”.

The incident was described by local councillor Archie MacLellan as the first serious incident of this kind in Perth.

It comes just two weeks after the death of 16-year-old Shellie Callaghan, who fell seriously ill at her home in Midlothian.

At the time officers issued a warning about tablets known as Purple Ninja Turtles and Red Bugatti Veyrons.

Schools are encouraged to highlight the dangers of drugs to children.

A council spokeswoman said: “It will be for each individual school to decide whether a special assembly will be held in relation to the serious incident that took place over the weekend.

“Pupils receive regular classes/ assemblies as part of an ongoing programme of awareness education topics, including the danger of taking drugs.”

“Think twice before taking any unknown substance. POLICE SCOTLAND