POLICE in Glasgow are desperately trying to discourage youngsters from taking drugs.

Officers are meeting hundreds of 11 to 18-year-olds as part of the annual Choices for Life campaign.

Many of them face peer pressure at school to try drugs, according to a senior officer.

Superintendent Danny Hartfield said: "From our point of view, the 11 to 18-year-old group is when they are most receptive to messages.

"The consequence could be they are in the playground, getting a tablet and not knowing anything about it or not understanding what they've been given or being given the wrong message.

"So, for me it's an absolute no-brainer. They've got to be aware of the dangers.

"They've got to be informed. That way, they'll be better able to deal with peer pressure and better able to withstand that peer pressure.

"They will have perhaps advice and guidance about where to go, to tell a responsible adult, to speak to a teacher, to have the confidence to speak to them.

"Have the confidence to say 'no' and actually to have the confidence to speak to them about someone else."

Superintendent Hartfield also warned youngsters that using drugs could be fatal.

He said: "The product might be one thing but really, you won't know what's in it. You won't know how it will affect you.

"We don't want you taking it for the first time. We don't want you experimenting, because that could be the last time.

"That's the tragic consequences and we see that because we also have to attend drug deaths. It's a senseless loss of life."