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UK: Primary schoolchildren found dealing in drugs
Jenny Simpson Lancashire Evening Telegraph
Wednesday 16 Jan 2008 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
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