Following four students in grade five at a primary school in the Maduragoda area of Kurunegala being hospitalised after ingesting some intoxicant pills, the Maduragoda Police said that the intoxication was caused by consuming a medicinal tablet called ‘Pregablin’.

The medicine in question is an anticonvulsant, analgesic, and anxiolytic, that is also recreationally abused.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (19), Officer in Charge of the Maduragoda Police Janaka Weeraratne, said that the said medicine, which is often used as an alternative drug by people, was brought to the school by one of the students who was hospitalised. He also said that the said medicine is used by the father of the particular child. 

“That child brought these tablets to the school where he and some of his friends have consumed the tablets. The particular tablet called ‘Pregablin’ is used by some people as an alternative drug. It is just a medicine that everyone has the accessibility to buy in a pharmacy. It was revealed that the father of the child who brought this to the school is using these tablets,” he said.

Meanwhile, Consultant Paediatrician of the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children Dr. Deepal Perera, said that parents must be mindful when they use medicines as children could take those medicines. He also said that having such medicines which are prescribed for elders, could harm children, and sometimes have long-term effects. Therefore, he urged the parents not to store medicines and other intoxicating pills in places where children could access them easily. He also said that it is the responsibility of the parents to make their children aware not to consume anything given by strangers, which could help them not be victims of the drug menace. He further added that children must be advised not to share their personal details with strangers. Further, he noted that certain behaviours on the part of parents, such as consuming alcohol, could set a bad example for the child, and that therefore, the parents must be responsible not to consume alcohol or other drugs or smoke in front of children.