Pupil who took headshop drugs rushed to hospital

It emerged the male student was rushed to hospital last week after falling ill during school hours.

The senior student had taken substances an older friend had purchased at a head shop.

Frank Dooley, school principal at Finn Valley College, Stranorlar, Co Donegal, said the male youth was subsequently rushed by ambulance to Letterkenny General Hospital where he spent two days being treated for the effects of the legal drugs. He has since returned to school.

Mr Dooley said it was the most traumatic situation he has had to deal with as principal of the 300-pupil school.

While confirming the drug was bought in his shop, the head shop owner in Ballybofey strongly denied serving students in uniform.

While there is no age-limit on the sale of 'legal highs', the owner stressed that his staff have a strict over-18 policy.

Mr Dooley said the school was dealing with the matter through the "pastoral care system" and that the incident has been reported to Ballybofey garda station.

"I regret to say that a senior student, with the help of his classmate, did get some so-called legal drugs and took them during lunchtime.

"He had a severe reaction and, as a result, was taken by ambulance to Letterkenny General Hospital. He was detained there for two days and, thankfully, he is okay now and is back at school," Mr Dooley said on Wednesday.

He added that he hoped other young people would take heed of the dangers of consuming legal drugs following last week's incident. "The buying of drugs which are mind altering, and experimenting with them is more serious than walking blindfolded across the main road at night time and will, more than likely, have the same consequences -- they will become seriously hurt or their actions could result in death," he said.

Source: Cronan Scanlon, The Irish Independent, 30/04/2010