Teachers across England report alarming levels of pupils taking drugs at school in England, with cocaine, ketamine and the synthetic cannabinoid spice amongst substances being used on school premises.

A major survey of 4,000 teachers by the NASUWT union reveals that drug use in schools has reached concerning levels, with pupils also consuming alcohol, nitrous oxide and nicotine pouches during school hours.

Shocking Statistics

Nearly one in five teachers know about pupils smoking cannabis on school grounds, whilst close to one in 10 have concerns about pupils taking drugs at school in England including spice – a dangerous synthetic substance that can cause unpredictable reactions.

The survey found that 5% of teachers were aware of pupils using “other drugs” – most commonly cocaine and ketamine – on school premises. Outside school, these figures jump dramatically, with 57% of teachers concerned about cannabis use and 16% worried about harder drugs.

Beyond Traditional Substances

The problem extends beyond illegal drugs. Teachers report that drug use in schools now includes legal but harmful substances like energy drinks, with 71% expressing concern about excessive consumption amongst pupils.

Gambling apps present another worry, with 24% of teachers concerned about student access to these platforms, including 6% who’ve observed pupils gambling whilst at school.

Behavioural Impact

Matt Wrack, acting chief of NASUWT, warned that these substances contribute to rising disruptive, violent and abusive behaviour. He said pupils taking drugs at school in England were displaying “increased tiredness and lack of focus and interest in learning” along with “irritability, mood swings and erratic behaviour.”

“Not only are many of these activities illegal or prohibited for young people aged under 18, they are contributing to the rise we are seeing in disruptive, violent and abusive behaviour in schools,” Wrack explained.

Vaping Concerns

More than half of teachers observed increased vaping amongst pupils over the past year. Worryingly, research from the University of Bath found that 16.6% of nearly 600 vapes confiscated from 38 schools contained spice, meaning children may unknowingly consume dangerous synthetic drugs.

The recent ban on disposable vapes has raised fears that young people might turn to unregulated and potentially more dangerous products, potentially worsening drug use in schools.

Call for Action

NASUWT argues that schools cannot tackle pupils taking drugs at school in England alone. Consequently, the union demands partnership approaches involving schools, health services, police, youth justice services and other stakeholders.

Furthermore, key recommendations include ensuring every school has access to a school-based counsellor and conducting research into how children access online gambling platforms.

The union also wants the government to implement planned bans on selling high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s, as part of broader efforts to address substance-related problems affecting young people’s education and wellbeing.

Government Response Needed

With drug use in schools contributing to classroom disruption and potentially serious health risks, teachers stress that coordinated action from government and expert services is essential.

The survey highlights that this issue extends far beyond traditional concerns about alcohol and tobacco, encompassing a range of substances and activities that threaten both individual pupils’ welfare and the broader school environment.

As evidence mounts about the scale of pupils taking drugs at school, the education sector calls for urgent intervention to protect young people and maintain safe learning environments across England.