Pupils at a Fife secondary school have been told they risked their lives after taking so-called legal highs during their lunch break.
Up to six youngsters at Glenrothes High School were given the all-clear following medical checks and police were called in to investigate.
Although none of the pupils suffered any lasting effects as a result of taking the unknown substance, school rector Ruth McFarlane said she is “concerned” by the ease with which legal highs can be accessed.
She reassured parents that the school is doing what it can to provide drug education to youngsters in the wake of the incident.
She said: “We contacted the police on Friday afternoon following an incident which had taken place in the community during lunchtime.
“A pupil had allegedly supplied ‘legal highs’ to a number of pupils at lunchtime. The police have been dealing with the situation.
“We are very concerned about how easily young people are able to access these substances and will continue to do what we can in school, in association with a range of external partners, to inform pupils about the risks associated with this.”
The incident has prompted widespread concern within the community and has again highlighted the availability of so-called legal highs.
Although not controlled under Misuse of Drugs Acts, many produce similar effects to narcotics, such as cocaine or ecstasy. To circumvent this, the substances are often advertised as plant food or bath crystals.
Glenrothes’ leading police officer, Chief Inspector Derek McEwan, has warned that just because many are sold as legal, the effects of such substances can be devastating.
“Just because a drug is sold as legal does not mean it is safe,” he said.
“Anyone who takes legal highs can have no idea as to what they actually contain and the possible harm they could cause. They are putting their life in danger.
“Whilst the children involved in this incident appear to have suffered no lasting consequences, I can’t stress enough the potential risk of serious short and long term illness, overdose or even death that is associated with legal highs.
“We will be working closely within the school to support staff and pupils and to prevent this type of incident happening again.”