Maribor school pupil required aid after allegedly taking drugs, police investigating secondary school
A pupil at the Secondary Forestry and Timber School in Maribor allegedly ingested a prohibited substance and subsequently required medical assistance. Police are investigating suspicion of an offence enabling drug use.
Police at Maribor school: pupil required medical aid after drugs
A serious incident occurred at the Secondary Forestry and Timber School in Maribor, which police are now investigating. According to telegraf.si, one of the pupils allegedly ingested a prohibited substance and subsequently required medical assistance. The case involves several minors, whose roles have not yet been fully clarified.
School management learned of the incident on Tuesday, 13 October, from the parents of the pupil who required assistance. Head teacher Mateja Kišek Vovk confirmed that they immediately notified police and the parents of pupils for whom there was information about possible involvement. The head teacher emphasised that the school maintains zero tolerance towards such behaviour and will take action in accordance with regulations.
Police officers attended the school and conducted interviews with pupils. Details of their findings are not yet publicly known. It has also not been confirmed whether the substance was ingested in school premises or elsewhere — this circumstance remains crucial for the further investigation.
Police investigate suspicion of offence
The Maribor Police Directorate confirmed that they had dealt with a report concerning a minor who had been provided medical assistance. Investigators are still gathering information and examining the circumstances of the alleged ingestion of prohibited drugs.
The investigation does not stop at establishing whether the minor ingested the substance, but also includes suspicion of an offence enabling the use of prohibited drugs. This means that police are examining whether anyone else, through their conduct, enabled this use in a manner that could constitute a criminal offence.
To date, there is no information about possible suspects, seized substances or results of toxicological examinations. The Maribor Police Directorate has also announced additional preventive activities that will be carried out by officers of Maribor II Police Station, though details have not yet been revealed.
School: action taken, but no premature conclusions
The management of the Secondary Forestry and Timber School responded to the incident by notifying the relevant authorities and the parents of the allegedly involved pupils. Head teacher Kišek Vovk emphasised to local portal Lokalec.si that the school does not tolerate such behaviour and will take appropriate measures within its remit.
The content of the measures cannot be predetermined, as the circumstances of the incident are still subject to investigation. The school must simultaneously ensure pupil safety, cooperate with the relevant authorities and parents, and prevent the spread of unverified information.
Pupils who were invited to police interviews are not automatically suspects. The interviews are intended to gather information and verify claims — particularly in cases involving minors, where protection of privacy is especially important.
Dangers of ingesting unknown substances
The health consequences of ingesting prohibited or psychoactive substances depend on the type and quantity of substance ingested, possible simultaneous consumption of alcohol, and the individual's health status. Warning signs include loss of consciousness, breathing difficulties, marked confusion, seizures or loss of responsiveness. In such cases, rapid action is crucial — and a call to 112.
It is particularly dangerous when a person does not know what substance they have ingested. On the illegal market, substances can contain unknown adulterants or different active ingredients than expected, so the appearance or name of a substance does not guarantee a reliable assessment of risk.
In the Maribor case, publicly available information does not reveal details of the pupil's state of health. It is only confirmed that medical assistance was required. Which substance was ingested, how the pupil obtained it and who might possibly be responsible have not yet been officially confirmed.
Preventing drug use among young people requires a joint approach
The incident raises broader questions about preventing the use of prohibited drugs among young people. The school plays an important role in this, but responsibility cannot be placed solely on teachers or management. Parents, healthcare workers, counselling services and other organisations working with young people must also be included in prevention efforts.
Effective prevention is based on credible information about risks, open communication and the opportunity for young people to seek help in good time — without fear of stigmatisation. With young people, it is necessary to distinguish between one-off experimentation and the development of more serious problems. A single incident does not necessarily indicate addiction, but can be a warning that a person needs professional support or a conversation with a trusted adult.
Source: Delo