19% of teachers know pupils use cannabis at school

New data on drugs and alcohol consumption in schools by NASUWT — The Teacher’s Union has found that alcohol, nicotine and nitrous oxide are being consumed within schools by pupils, as well as excessive consumption of energy drinks and using gambling apps and websites.

Almost one in five teachers are aware that pupils use cannabis at school, as well as other drugs like ketamine and cocaine, according to a survey of nearly 4,000 teachers. This figure jumps up to almost three in five (57 per cent) of teachers aware that pupils use cannabis outside of school.

NASUWT also found that 71 per cent of teachers were aware of pupils having energy drinks at school, 13 per cent were aware of pupils using nicotine pouches (snus) at school, seven per cent were aware of pupils using alcohol at school, and five per cent were aware of pupils other drugs within school.

These figures are seriously concerning, and NASUWT is consequently calling for increased government action to tackle the use of illegal and harmful substances and activities among children and young people, both in and out of school. This research additionally finds that the use of harmful substances like drugs and alcohol are contributing to disruptive, violent and abusive behaviour by pupils in schools.

NASUWT is calling for a partnership between schools, health services, police, youth justice services and other stakeholders to help tackle the use of illegal and harmful substance by young people, as well as urging the government to commit to ensure that every English school has a school-based councillor.

Additionally, NASUWT is calling on the government to implement plans to ban the sale of drinks containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre to under-16s, and for further research into how children are being introduced to online gambling.

Matt Wrack NASUWT acting general secretary, said: “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.

“NASUWT teachers tell us that along with increased tiredness and lack of focus and interest in learning, they are causing irritability, mood swings, and erratic behaviour among the pupils they teach.

“This is clearly not an issue that schools can solve alone, we need greater action from government and other expert services to help deter young people from using or accessing illegal or prohibited substances or activities and causing harm to themselves or others.”