The girl is now said to be recovering in hospital

The girl, who has not been named, fell ill at a primary school on Wednesday. She is now said to be recovering.

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said the girl was admitted to hospital "on an emergency basis with what appeared to be heroin intoxication".

Strathclyde Police and social services have launched an investigation.

Drug abuse

A city council spokesman said on Saturday night: "We are monitoring the situation and the ongoing case discussion will continue on Monday."

Authorities were alerted when the girl appeared to fall asleep in the classroom.

NHS Greater Glasgow said it could not comment on individual cases.

Gaille McCann, from Mothers Against Drugs, a group set up after a 13-year-old boy from Glasgow became the youngest victim of heroin in Britain, told the BBC drug use was growing among younger people.

"I think we have to realise that. I'm not saying that it's a common occurrence, but it's not unheard of either.

"And I think that what we have to accept now is that drugs have just become part of our society and I think what we also know is that the age that people are using drugs is getting younger and younger."

This story gives further reinforcement, if any were needed, that we must keep up our broad approach to tackling drug abuse in society Hugh Henry Deputy Justice Minister

Scotland's deputy justice minister, Hugh Henry, expressed concern, saying: "Everyone is shocked when they hear about such a young person's life being put at risk.

"This story gives further reinforcement, if any were needed, that we must keep up our broad approach to tackling drug abuse in society.

"That includes working to educate people through measures such as our advertising campaigns and requiring all schools to provide health education, including educating children about the dangers of drugs, through the five-14 curriculum guidelines for schools."

He said some children may be more at risk than others.