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Police figures show 2,000 incidents of drug possession in schools in last four years (28 April 2015)

Date: 28/04/2015
Duncan Lewis, Crime Solicitors, Police figures show 2,000 incidents of drug possession in schools in last four years

New data from West Midlands police has revealed that, in the last four years, 140 children in the West Midlands have been found to be in possession of dugs on school premises.

Coventry Telegraph reports that in 2014, three children were found with cocaine on school premises, while one schoolpupil had crack and 34 were found to have cannabis on them at school.

Cannabis was the most widely used illegal drug, the figures show and accounted for 122 incidents of possession. A further 12 cases involved either supplying drugs or possession with intent to supply.

Police data shows that other drugs found in West Midlands schools include Ecstasy and amphetamines.

West Midlands Police said it was unable to give the ages of children caught with drugs in schools. However, data from 34 police forces and across England and Wales in the last four years shows there were more than 2,000 incidents involving drug possession in schools, with children as young as eight being found with drugs on them. Of these, four incidents involved children below the age of 11 – including an eight-year-old and a nine-year-old who were caught with cannabis in Staffordshire primary schools.

The data shows that a ten-year-old girl at a Leicestershire primary school was also found to be in possession of cannabis – as well as a child of the same age in Manchester.

General secretary of the NASUWT teaching union, Chris Keates, said:

“Any incident of drugs on school premises is worrying, as it will often only be the tip of the iceberg of what young people are encountering on the streets.

“Teachers and school leaders are always alert to the potential for young people being involved in drug or alcohol abuse.

“Unfortunately, many of the programmes and specialist support on which schools could rely to assist them in supporting and educating young people in the perils of substance abuse have been cut under this coalition government.”

Last year, a survey found that hundreds of schoolchildren in Coventry admitted using drugs.

Data showing 750 Coventry schoolchildren had used drugs was submitted as part of a report to councillors on drug use in the city.

The figures also show that although numbers of schoolchildren experimenting with drugs had fallen, around 2,000 adults a year receive treatment for drugs and alcohol misuse in Coventry – and the numbers of those receiving support had “substantially increased”.

Director of Public Health for Coventry City Council, Dr Jane Moore, said:

“There is a whole strategy of early intervention around young people which we are supporting.”

Dr Moore added:

“We are looking to get people off drugs rather than maintain them with control drugs like methadone.”

Duncan Lewis Criminal Lawyers

Duncan Lewis criminal lawyers can advise at any stage of an offence involving drugs, including supply or intent to supply, possession or manufacturing drugs.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and a criminal defence lawyer can usually be with a client at a police station or in court within an hour.

For expert legal advice on all criminal charges, call Duncan Lewis criminal lawyers on 020 7923 4020.

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