Several young offenders are reported to have ingested drugs at a detention facility in Melbourne’s north.
The Community and Public Sector Union, which represents corrections officers, told AAP up to eight young people at Parkville Youth Justice Centre were understood to have ingested drugs.
The illicit substance was said to have been dropped off in the facility’s outdoor recreational area.
The union was concerned about the drop representing a major security breach, a spokesman said.
“We don’t have enough staff,” the union spokesman said.
“The government is starving this program of money and as a result, two kids have been hospitalised.”
The Department of Justice and Community Safety confirmed two young people from the justice centre were on Tuesday taken to hospital for medical assessment.
However, it would not confirm why they were hospitalised.
Paramedics were called about 1.45pm on Tuesday, with both young people believed to be in a stable condition, Ambulance Victoria said.
“By last night they had both returned to the centre,” a spokeswoman for the department said.
“The safety and well-being of young people and staff in youth justice is of the utmost importance.”
Australian Associated Press