Children as young as nine excluded from school over drugs in Edinburgh

Figures show there were 73 incidents over the past four years

The Scottish Conservatives called the figures 'absolutely shocking'

Children as young as nine have been excluded from school for drug-related incidents in Edinburgh, new figures reveal.

Data released by the council shows there were 73 cases over the past four years involving youngsters being in possession of, or under the influence of drugs.

This included at least one case involving a nine-year-old, and another involving a 12-year-old. It is not known what substances were involved.

The Scottish Conservatives described the figures as “absolutely shocking” and accused SNP ministers of failing to tackle the scourge of drugs.

The party’s education spokesman Liam Kerr said: “It is absolutely shocking that children as young as nine should have been excluded from school in relation to drug use.

“It’s clear we need an integrated programme of policing, education, as well as the SNP finally backing the Scottish Conservatives’ Right to Recovery Bill, which can be a game-changer in the fight against drugs.

“The dealers and suppliers who enable children of this age to use or be in possession of drugs must be punished severely. The SNP’s failure to tackle this scourge has already given us the worst drug death figures in Europe by far, and future generations must not be condemned by their inaction.”

A freedom of information request to the council, published on its website, asked for figures relating to the use or possession of “illegal substances/drugs” on school premises or during school trips.

A total of 20 children, ranging in age from 12 to 15, were excluded for this reason in 2022-23, while 29 children were excluded the year before, ranging in age from nine to 16. In 2020-21, seven children were excluded, with the youngest being 14 and the oldest 16. The year before, 17 children were excluded, ranging in age from 15 to 17.

The exclusions are listed as “due to substance misuse – not alcohol”.

The council was unable to say if any of the incidents required police involvement, as it said tracking down this information would be too expensive. “There were 73 exclusions and as there is no dedicated field to record the detail being requested, we would therefore be required to ask each school to search their records,” it said.

Councillor Joan Griffiths, education, children and families Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “We have a zero tolerance approach to drug misuse in our schools and on school trips. The extremely low numbers recorded is testament to our personal, social and health education programme we have in all our schools. It’s rare for there to be incidents involving drugs but where this does occur we will take appropriate action which includes involving support services for the young people affected.”

Scotland’s relationship with drugs has become a major political issue in recent years due to widespread outrage over the high number of drug-related deaths. The figure dropped slightly in 2021, but Scotland continues to have by far the highest drug death rate recorded by any country in Europe.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We are very concerned to hear reports of young children being in possession of or taking drugs. We know from people with lived and living experience that many people who go on to have a drug problem started their drug or alcohol use at an early age.

“We take a comprehensive approach to intervene and help those at risk of developing problem substance use. As part of our cross-government response to the final Drugs Deaths Taskforce Report, we are investing £1.5 million in Planet Youth, also known as the Icelandic Model, which is an evidence based model for substance use prevention and which involves whole communities in keeping children safe.

“We’re also investing nearly £4 million to expand the successful Routes model which supports young people who experience substance use in their families.

“It is vital young people are informed of the harms of substance use - both to themselves and others and education is an important strand within the broad range of measures we are taking as part of our National Mission on drug deaths.”