Another Perth schoolboy is seriously ill in hospital after taking drugs.
The 15-year-old was rushed to hospital and fell ill on Sunday night. Doctors have described his condition as serious but stable.
NHS Tayside said the case was unconnected to Friday’s incident, where a 15-year-old was left in a coma after taking ecstasy.
Chief inspector Maggie Pettigrew, local area commander for Perth, said: “Our thoughts are with both these young boys who are currently receiving treatment in hospital.
“I would like to stress that both these incidents are completely unconnected.”
She said: “Our message is clear, there is no safe way to take drugs – there is always a risk.
“The effects can be unpredictable and can cause serious harm or even death.
“Police Scotland continues to work with its partner agencies including health officials and Education and Children’s Services in connection with these investigations.”
Andy Reddick, consultant in emergency medicine for NHS Tayside, added: “The use of a variety of recreational drugs, including New Psychoactive Substances – previously known as legal highs – ecstasy, amphetamines, diazepam, heroin and cocaine, can lead to an emergency attendance at hospital.
“The clinical scenarios we see in the emergency department include life threatening organ failure, breathing difficulties, obstructed airways and injuries sustained because of extreme behavioural reactions.”
He added: “Patients are admitted to intensive care and high dependency units as well as our emergency department ward regularly due to illegal drug use and, unfortunately, people can die after arriving at hospital due to their level of toxicity from the substance they have taken.”
Mr Reddick said there was a huge variation in the strength and content of drugs sold illegally, because it is an unregulated industry.
“The amount of active drug in ecstasy tablets can be as much as five times higher in one tablet versus another,” he said. “Even if you have taken a particular drug before with no major ill effects, this does not mean you will have the same response the next time you take it.”
Mr Reddick added: “There is no safe way to take drugs recreationally and the only way to ensure you don’t come to harm from using drugs is not to use them.”
