A BOY aged 12 was allegedly found in possession of cannabis yesterday by police on patrol in the Castlemilk area of Glasgow, writes Valerie Hannah.

The boy, who will be the subject of a report to the Children's Panel, reportedly dropped a piece of foil on to the ground as he was approached by police officers while walking along Stravanan Street at 1pm.

Officers retrieved the foil, which was later said to contain a small amount of cannabis resin worth between #5 and #10. The boy was returned to school and later taken home by police.

The incident comes two weeks after an 11-year-old boy was found in possession of heroin with a street value of #500 at Craigton Primary School in Glasgow. Last month, a seven-year-old boy from Stirling handed over his mother's supply of heroin to a teacher at Borestone Primary School.

Detective Superintendent Barry Dougall, force drugs co-ordinator for Strathclyde Police, said: ''Although only a small amount of cannabis was involved in this incident, the fact that a 12-year-old boy was implicated does reinforce recent research showing younger and younger people are being exposed to illicit drugs. Parents must do their best to be aware of drugs issues.''

The Castlemilk incident comes as police officers in F Division, which covers Castlemilk, prepare to launch a series of drug awareness talks to parents of pupils at more than 50 primary and secondary schools.