Parents are unware of children’s access to the sale of Class A drugs via social media, the UK’s four children commissioners have warned.
Sally Holland, the Children’s Commissioner for Wales, said: “The vast majority of parents and adults would be hugely shocked at the availability of really dangerous, strong, Class A drugs to very young children”.
“I think we’re all probably living in ignorance.”
’Sweet shop’
Class A drugs, which include substances such as ecstasy and heroin, carry a prison sentence of up to seven years for possession.
Carson Price, 13, died after taking “Donkey Kong”, an ecstasy pill sold to him via social media site Snapchat for only a few pounds.
His mother Tatum Price said most parents do not assume purchasing Class A drugs is “as easy as going to buy sweets in a sweet shop for the same price.”
“Carson was a lovely, brainy, intelligent boy with so much of a future”.
Branding
The Home Office commissioned a review into drug use earlier this year.
Last year, two schoolchildren were hospitalised after taking ‘Snapchat pills’.
The yellow pills, stamped with the brand’s logo, were not produced or endorsed by the social media company.
It is believed brands familiar to teenagers are used to make them feel comfortable taking them.