Cocaine was discovered inside the schoolbag of a five-year-old girl at Glasgow Academy, an upmarket private school charging fees of up to £16,660 a year. Police and social services were called in after staff uncovered the class-A substance.
Incident Details
The incident is understood to have occurred weeks ago, but particulars are only now coming to light, according to the Scottish Daily Mail. A source said: "To say this has rocked everyone in the school is an understatement. The main concern is for the child. We dread to think what might have happened had the child accidentally tasted the substance or even shared it with others."
The outcome could have been devastating, the source added, expressing hope that the school board and management team are taking the matter seriously.
School Profile
Glasgow Academy is an independent school for children aged 3–18, operating three sites across Glasgow. It ranks among Scotland's highest-achieving private schools for SQA Higher Results. The facility in the city's Newlands district serves primary one to four students.
Broader Context
The Scottish Health Survey has disclosed that cocaine use among adults in the nation's wealthiest regions has doubled within just two years, with statistics climbing from 2% in 2021 to 4% in 2023.
School Response
A spokesperson for Glasgow Academy said: "We do not comment on matters relating to individual children. Where any concern is raised, we act on it promptly and work closely with families and relevant authorities to keep every child in our care safe."
