Class A drug found in the grounds of York primary school

The liquid methadone - a class A opiate usually used to treat heroin addiction - was spotted in the grounds of Fishergate School.

The woman who made the find, in grass next to the sign at the front of the school, said she was disgusted.

“The fact people are doing this needs highlighting," said the woman, who asked not to be named.

“Whoever it belongs to needs to be made to drink it onsite. They clearly have no respect for life if they are chucking it in a school play area.”

Teba Diatta was with the woman when the bottle - which still contained some liquid - was found.

She said it was lucky it had been found by a responsible adult, and not by a child in the playground.

She added: “Thank God a vulnerable youngster didn’t find it, there wasn’t a huge amount but enough to sip and methadone isn’t suitable for the general public. It’s shocking that someone would casually discard a controlled drug in a school play area.

“Curious youngsters could have opened the bottle and drunk the contents. With access to social media and shows, it’s such a shame - children know a lot more and are much more savvy. It’s very concerning that methadone has been dumped at the feet of the innocents in what should be and is a safe environment.”

Maxine Squire, interim director of children, education and communities at City of York Council, said: “This matter was reported directly to the police by the person alleging the discovery of the bottle on the school grounds. It was not reported to the school.

“On hearing of this, a precautionary search of the school grounds took place which revealed no evidence of any drug related activity. The safety of our children and school staff is of the utmost importance and we take school security very seriously. Anyone who identifies a potential risk to any of our schools should report it directly to the police and to the school as soon as possible.”

Teba poured the contents of the bottle, which was found on Monday night, into a bin and reported the find to North Yorkshire Police.

A force spokesman confirmed the report had been received, but no investigation had been launched as the contents had been safely discarded.

Teba said she did not believe the matter had been malicious, but irresponsible, and hoped that by highlighting it, further issues could be prevented.

She said: “Fishergate is a great, caring community, with a family ethos, and having drugs dumped on their doorstep is extremely concerning and mindless.

“I hope those responsible for such irresponsibility will take heed and think that their actions could have serious consequences for vulnerable children and young people across our city.”