Schools and Police call for information on suspected anti-social, alcohol and drug activity

3rd June 2019

Highland schools and Police call on people to share information on suspected anti-social, alcohol and drug activity.

Highland Council secondary schools in the Mid Highland area and Police Scotland are writing to parents and carers urging them to share any concerns or information related to possible anti-social behaviour, alcohol and drug activity in their areas.

A joint letter sent to parents and carers of pupils gives reassurance that schools and Police are working together to ensure young people, schools and communities remain safe.

The letter also invites parents and carers to an Information Evening on Monday 10 June 2019 - 7pm at Dingwall Academy. Further details on the event have been sent home from each secondary school.

The letter informs that there has been notable: "...increases in the volume of information shared regarding drug and alcohol activity, and in anti-social behaviour in the Mid-Highland Area and around our communities."

It explains that: “Although these are not new issues, the risks do seem to be more prevalent than previously with increased risk-taking behaviour among a greater proportion of young people and at earlier ages.”

The letter also states that: “Pupils, parents and carers need to be aware that young people are using and supplying harmful substances across our communities and seem to believe that such activity is ‘normal' for them and others. Controlled substances previously believed to not have been a significant issue for young people in many areas in Highland are now readily available. It is possible for young people, to access a wide variety of substances and these can include (but not exclusively) cannabis, psycho-active substances (‘legal highs’) and prescription drugs. These can be obtained from local contacts, wider contacts through social media and can be purchased on-line in some cases.

“The incidence of reports regarding anti-social behaviour is also increasing. Reports are of open air drunkenness and associated verbal abuse, mess and danger to the public from broken glass and other waste being left behind in parks, on beaches and in other public amenity spaces; of verbal abuse and intimidation of members of the public; often vulnerable young people and adults being the victims of such abuse; of purchase, selling and use of a range of substances which can then impact on further anti-social behaviours and also irresponsible behaviour on and near roads.

“All partners involved to date support the view that to address these concerns, schools, parents, pupils and partners such as Police Scotland, Social Work Service and Youth Action Team, Community Councils etc need to work together to identify and address such risk taking and anti-social behaviour and reduce the impact they are having on our communities and on our young people. Almost all of these behaviours occur in the evenings and at weekends/holidays.”

Highland Council and Police Scotland are urging pupils, parents and carers that where concerns exist about possible drug-activities, information is passed on either to the Crime Stoppers helpline on 0800 555 111; Police Scotland on 101 or to local schools.