Boy, 14, in hospital after nicotine binge

A schoolboy from Sandwell ended up in hospital after overdosing on nicotine gum, handed out by a counsellor in school.

Aiden Williams, aged 14, from Drake Street, West Bromwich was given the chewing gum by a friend, who was offered the cigarette substitute after being caught smoking at Menzies High School Science College.

Workers from Sandwell Council's Drug Education, Counselling and Confidential Advice (Decca) go into schools throughout the borough to give out boxes of the gum to pupils who smoke.

Pupils from the age of 12 can be given a weeks supply - 105 pieces - of the gum without their parents knowing. Aiden was hospitalised after eating 30 pieces. His mother Caroline, aged 36, a Tesco Express worker said she was horrified to discover he was being taken to hospital as a result of the binge.

She said: "I couldn't believe that this gum can be give out like this without parents knowing. It is then being passed around the playground.

"The doctors said that he could have died and he had to be kept in for 24 hours for observation.

"I know what my son did was stupid, but if anything it proves that these kids can't be given responsibility for taking medication that could do serious harm."

Aiden was taken to hospital last Wednesday, and given the all clear to go home on the Thursday afternoon.

Paul Harris, deputy head at Menzies said that the school, in Clarkes Lane, said: "We have older teens in school who have issues with smoking and work directly with Decca, which offers support.

"This is low strength nicotine gum and there is nothing stopping youngsters from the age of 12 buying it over the counter.

"Decca does not have to inform pupils' parents about this."

Decca service manager Margaret Storrie said: "Aiden overdosing on gum like this is the first time such an incident has happened and we are disappointed to hear about it."