Such a pity that teenagers think ‘it can’t happen to me. There has been enough written in newspapers and publicised on TV about taking drugs that one would think they would be aware of the dire consequences of taking these drugs by now. Strangely enough kids, you can still have great fun without taking the drugs.

I fear for my kids, by the time they are teenagers, who knows what new drug will be available and what it will do. I’ll just try my best to educate them on the dangers of drugs and hope for the best

Oh sooo worrying …thanks for the article and infro.

Kids need to be educated on all the facts, not just what can happen if you take it but what can happen if you are caught with it in your possession. Parents need to be educating their children and having an open dialogue with them about it and we need to be finding out how these kids are getting their hands on drugs because it is obviously becoming easier for anyone to get them.

Wow thats crazy and so scary

It does make me nervous as a parent. My kids not yet teenagers. A small tablet looks so harmless almost like a lolly.
Education is a good start. Scare tactics with facts too. That it can cause death as this is true. But when and how to approach the subject?

This is a complex issue and it needs multiple level approach dealing with the issues in society as well as the education of teenagers and protecting those who are vulnerable.

This would have been a terrifying experience for the students involved and their parents. You used to be able to send your kids on camps and to school knowing they would be safe. Not anymore. It’s either bullying or drugs.

Those poor parents. I cannot fathom sending my child to school on a trip only to have to collect them from hospital… unfortunately education doesn’t always stop stupid behaviour…

Education at home and at school about the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol is very important.
We can educate our kids, but some kids are more eager to try anyway then others, especially when they are a bit rebellious.
My youngest 2 are daughters from drug addicts. My 9yr old grew up being neglected and between drugs users. My youngest was on Methadon as soon as she was born. What the effects are on their mind and brain is difficult to measure, but it sure has an effect.
My 9yr old laid her hand on medication numerous times, luckily so far without harm but I fear for her. One time she took a whole bottle of probiotics and ate 40tablets, she took a strip with Solprin (aspirin) one and ate 8 tablets, she took a bottle of panadol once and was planning to drink it as a smoothie, she too a box with stomach tablets and ate 30 tablets. All I can do is educate her and I go to the GP every time she does things like this (although so far she is NOT learning. She sees a psychologist, a psychiatrist and a pediatrician as well.

This world while supposedly get better is becoming so dangerous for the young growing up. I fear for my younger children as the world is so different from their older siblings who grew up in the 90’s and oo’s. I wonder what type of world my younger ones will live in and their 4 year old niece.

Need to better educate children on refusing to take them. As a 5-6 year old on the school bus I was offered some pills by an older student and said no, despite the number of times he offered. Turns out they were salt tablets, but that’s besides the point! Kids really need to know the dangers of drugs AND peer pressure!

It’s really sad to see this spreading sooo fast!

I don’t know that education regarding drugs is working. Prevention yes but we can talk until we are blue in the face-for some reason none of it gets through. They think they are invincible and don’t realise they are taking their own lifes in their hands with just one pill!

It’s so scary to have kids growing up in this day an age, there is so much temptation and bad influences

Awareness of the effects of taking certain drugs and knowing cautionary measures during times when they experience any complications is vital. I hope more information and research plus support gets to our younger generation.

It is terrifying how wide spread drug use is becoming.

It’s very scary that this happened on a school camp. I bet the teachers need some support too.

Education about the effects of drugs on the body is easily available and taught, and yet people are still willing to risk their health for a high. Why? I think this article also makes us realise that even if you pill test at concerts/festivals, that is only one small part of the whole drug dilemma.

When I was in high school people were so casual about drugs. I lost my entire friendship group because I didn’t support drug use and didn’t want to be around it. Some teens just don’t think the worst could happen to them or their friends.