A drug user has admitted endangering young children by leaving uncapped needles at the entrance to a nursery.
Robert Robertson admitted acting in a culpable and reckless manner by leaving the exposed syringe needles outside Quarryview Nursery in Dundee.
Robertson, 42, of Whitfield Rise, Dundee, also admitted having controlled epilepsy and anxiety drug Pregabalin on his person on July 17 2020.
He admitted culpably and recklessly leaving uncapped needles outside the gates of the nursery in Lothian Crescent, part of the North East campus, to the danger of children.
Solicitor Gary McIlravey, defending, told Dundee Sheriff Court Robertson was aware he had the drugs paraphernalia with him near the nursery.
Sheriff Jillian Martin-Brown placed Robertson under social work supervision for six months and allowed him to walk free from court.
She said: “The social work report says it would be helpful for you to have support for a number of issues.
“I am looking for you to work with social work.”
Controlled drug
Pregabalin, used to treat nerve pain, epilepsy and anxiety, was classified as a class-C controlled drug in 2019.
At that point, it became illegal to possess the medication without a prescription and illegal to supply or sell it to others.
The government made the move after experts highlighted rising numbers of fatalities linked to the drugs.
Pregabalin can bring about an elevated mood in users but can also have serious side effects, particularly when used in combination with other drugs.
In 2016, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) raised concerns over medicinal misuse, illegal diversion of the drugs and addiction, and recommended should be controlled as class C Drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
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