Ten pupils at a Fife school needed urgent medical treatment after apparently taking unknown tablets during their lunch break.
Four children at Dunfermline High School were taken to Kirkcaldy’s Victoria Hospital after falling ill early yesterday afternoon, while a further six youngsters in S2 and S3 had to be treated by paramedics following the suspected drug-related incident.
Speculation was rife that the youngsters had consumed what they believed were Valium tablets, but that has not been confirmed by authorities.
Emergency services were initially called to reports of concern for the health of a number of pupils, and up to 12 emergency service vehicles were quickly on the scene.
Phil Black, head of Fife’s education and children’s services, confirmed that the school was made aware after lunchtime that a “small number” of pupils may have taken tablets out with school grounds.
“We called emergency services immediately and have worked with them to identify and support pupils who may have been affected,” he said.
“We have spoken to children this afternoon with police and paramedics to make sure anyone who has taken tablets has been identified and treated.
“We would urge parents to speak to their children to make sure that they have not taken tablets from anyone and to seek medical advice if they think they have.”
A message sent to parents and carers during the afternoon revealed that when the severity of the incident became apparent, school staff worked “tirelessly” with emergency services to try and identify and support pupils who may have been affected.
“Our first priority has been to check the identified names and contact their parents/carers,” the message added.
Two quick assemblies were arranged with S2 and S3 pupils in a bid to see who else may have taken the tablets involved and also tell the youngsters that their parents were being informed.
At one stage it was thought that more than 20 pupils had been involved, although not all of those youngsters required medical treatment.
The news has shocked the community surrounding the school.
Local shop owner Tanveet Bahia knows most of the youngsters very well.
“I hope they are alright. The kids all come in here, we have a great relationship with them all,” she said.
“I am very surprised that a school like that has had such a bad incident like this – this is not good for the school or the community.”
Local woman Catherine Henderson, 51, was returning from a shopping trip when she saw the incident unfold.
She added: “I have heard it was down to drugs. It is really shocking.
“I know people whose kids go there, and know a few teachers. There’s been nothing on this scale here and I just don’t understand it, it’s a strict school.”
Grace Anderson, who was visiting her daughter’s house next to the school, added: “This is terrible.
“I saw all the police and rapid response vehicles and knew it was something quite serious.
“I thought, oh my goodness, what’s happening.”
A spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service said paramedics were called at 1.23pm to attend an incident at Dunfermline High School, and dispatched five ambulance crews, a special operations unit and a rapid response vehicle.
A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said an investigation had been launched.
“Inquiries into the matter are continuing,” she added.
