16/01/2008 00:00:00
UK: Primary schoolchildren found dealing in drugs
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Children as young as 10 have been found to be supplying drugs in
Lancashire, with most young dealers detected in schools.
The number of under-18s in the county caught supplying drugs – including
heroin, Ecstasy and amphetamines – has doubled in a year, according to
figures obtained by the Evening Post.
Of the eight young people detected dealing drugs, five were caught in
schools – more than twice as many as in 2005/6. The youngest dealer was
a 10-year-old supplying cannabis.
Teaching unions today expressed concern about the figures, obtained by
the Evening Post under the Freedom of Information Act.
David Fann, of the National Association of Head Teachers, said: "We are
monitoring this and we are concerned the figure is rising but it's only
a small number in terms of the large numbers of children who go to
schools in Lancashire.
"Headteachers, especially at secondary level, are very vigilant and all
schools, primary and secondary, should have policies in place to deal
with substance abuse."
A total of 358 youngsters aged under 18 were found in possession of
drugs, ranging from cannabis plants to crack cocaine, heroin and
ketamine, in 2006/7 – a drop from 479 in 2005/6.
The number of pupils in possession of drugs in schools also decreased
from 54 in 2005/6 to 31 in 2006/7.
Lancashire County Council, which runs some but not all of the schools
covered by the Freedom of Information request, said nine pupils had been
expelled for drugs or alcohol offences in 2006/7.
Most of the young people caught possessing or supplying drugs escaped
with a caution. Of the 358 youths detected in possession of drugs last
year, only 119 were charged. Three of the eight caught dealing were
charged and the others cautioned.
http://www.lep.co.uk/news/Shock-at-drug-dealer-aged.3677005.jp
Source:
http://www.ukcia.org/news/shownewsarticle.php?articleid=13167
Author:
Lancashire Evening Telegraph via UKCIA
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