Ten children treated in Stockton after taking drugs

Ten children have been treated in hospital on Teesside after taking drugs.

The youths, aged from 12 to 16, were treated at the University Hospital of North Tees at the weekend after taking substances including gabapentin, amitriptyline, diazepam and cocaine.

Andy Simpson, head of the accident and emergency department, said the drugs could kill.

Cleveland Police said it was investigating.

Mr Simpson said: "These drugs can lead to serious breathing difficulties and can lead to people needing to be ventilated.

"I have also seen deaths from young people taking amitriptyline.

"While taking these drugs can be seen as a bit of fun, it is definitely not that in my view.

"We are appealing to younger people, please do not take these drugs. They can make you seriously ill or even kill you. It's just not worth taking the risk."

DS Jim Devine from Cleveland Police said: "We are working closely with neighbourhood officers to investigate the circumstances around how a number of youths came to be hospitalised after consuming drugs.

"Our prime concern is the welfare of these teenagers and we will be visiting each one to try and identify the source of the drugs and to educate them on the dangers of taking illegal drugs and other medical drugs that are not prescribed to them."