GIRL OF EIGHT HAD CANNABIS CAKE

AN eight-year-old girl has tested positive for cannabis.

Police and social services were yesterday questioning the child and her
family after traces of the Class B drug were found during a urine test.

The girl's father was said to have been 'horrified' and yesterday held a
meeting with her headteacher in Swansea, South wales.

It is the girl, who cannot be named, may have been given the drug in the
form of a 'spiked cake' without realising what she was doing.

Headteacher Keith Atkins said he was astounded but confident that the pupil
had not obtained or taken the drug at Gors Junior School.

Mr Atkins said: "I am as shocked as anyone that a child of this age should
test positive for drugs.

"It is recognised that drugs are available in the community to people of
all ages. We have no evidence or reason to believe the school is involved
either directly or indirectly. I am liaising with the police who are
looking into the matter."

Mr Atkins confirmed he had spoken to the girl's father and was liaising
with him. The girl's father refused to comment as he left his meeting with
Mr Atkins.

The child tested positive earlier this week. It is not known is the
authorities had any reason to suspect the child had come into contact with
cannabis.

The drug is usually smoked through acigarette but it can also be eaten -
often baked into biscuits known as 'space cakes'.

The school which has 185 pupils, has sent letters to parents urging them to
seek medical advice if they feared their own children were taking drugs.

Mr Atkins said the school, whose catchment area includes the sprawling
Townhill council estate, had no previous problems. Parents arriving at the
school yesterday afternoon spoke of their concerns.

Beverly Protheroe, whose 10-year-old daughter is a pupil, said: "I have
spoken to the father of the girl concerned and he went absolutely ballistic
when he found out that his daughter had proved positive for the test.

"He told me that he went straight to the school and demanded a circular be
sent round to all the parents as a warning.

"We all got the letter which said there was absolutely no chance there were
drugs in the school.

"Of course we are worried. I've warned my daughter not to take anything
that she's offered, not even sweets or biscuits because you don't know
what's in them."

A police spokesman confirmed an inquiry had been launched but stressed that
it was a 'delicate matter' because of the girl's age.

He added: "Our Family Support Unit is investigating and we are making
inquiries with relatives, friends and other contacts."