Nearly one in five teachers are aware of pupils using cannabis in schools, with the use of other drugs including spice, ketamine and cocaine also being abused by young people on school premises, according to new data collected by NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union.

Alcohol, nicotine pouches and nitrous oxide are all being consumed within schools by pupils, teachers say, with access to gambling apps and websites also a problem in some schools, along with excessive consumption of energy drinks.

NASUWT is 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. The research indicates the use of drugs, alcohol and other harmful substances and activities among pupils is contributing to disruptive, violent and abusive behaviour by pupils in schools.

The survey of nearly 4,000 teachers found that:

• 71% were aware of pupils using energy drinks within school and 70% outside of school;
• 19% were aware of pupils using cannabis within school and 57% outside of school;
• 13% were aware of pupils using nicotine pouches or snus within school and 30% outside of school;
• 9% were aware of pupils using spice within school and 24% outside of school;
• 7% were aware of pupils using alcohol within school and 55% outside of school;
• 6% were aware of pupils using gambling websites or apps within school and 24% outside of school;
• 5% were aware of pupils using other drugs within school and 16% outside of school. The most commonly cited drugs being used by pupils were ketamine and cocaine;
• 4% were aware of pupils using nitrous oxide within school and 25% outside of school.

NASUWT is calling for partnership approaches to be established, involving schools, health, police, youth justice services and other stakeholders, to help tackle the use of illegal and harmful substances and activities by young people. Alongside this, we are continuing to call for the Government to commit to ensure every school across England has access to a school-based counsellor.

We are urging the Government to implement its 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 and attracted 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.”