For too many a very bleak life is mapped out at ten of drugs and crime

Primary school teacher

Drug dealing was identified in one in seven schools, but this tended to extend "beyond the school gates" or involved parents rather than pupils.

The survey - commissioned by the National Union of Teachers (NUT) - questioned 2,575 teachers in 1,978 schools, 1,621 of which were secondary and 357 primary across 13 local education authorities.

The study, carried out by Warwick University's Institute of Education, selected the different authorities to ensure a range of urban and suburban schools serving both poor and affluent communities were covered, the NUT said.

While the majority of schools remained "safe havens", there was no room for complacency, the union warned.

Older pupils

The written comments made by teachers suggested secondary teachers were more likely to have encountered drugs in school than their primary colleagues.

Many teachers surveyed were concerned about the drugs problem

Primary teachers, though, were clearly concerned for the future of their pupils, the NUT said.

The NUT said the poll had unearthed many instances of teachers not being supported by senior staff and the authorities in tackling the problem.

A secondary school teacher in East Sussex said his school last year had excluded a boy over drugs but that the local education authority had not upheld the school's decision.

Another secondary teacher in Norfolk said: "The education authority reinstated a pupil who dealt drugs on the premises, despite the head teacher and staff being totally against this".

'Bleak life'

A primary school teacher from Leicester warned: "For too many a very bleak life is mapped out at ten of drugs and crime".

Parents have a responsibility to help schools protect their children from drugs

John Bangs, NUT

Another primary teacher from Leeds said: "I left my previous post in a high school because of drug use on the premises (apparently heroin), which was not taken seriously by the senior management team".

One teacher of under-fives in Northumberland told the researchers early intervention to stop children's involvement with drugs was vital.

She said: "Children should be assessed/diagnosed as quickly as possible and funding made available for proper support. Therapeutic education is desperately needed.

"Children are developing mental health problems and, by secondary stage, becoming addicted to alcohol and drugs because their needs are not being met."

'Safe havens'

John Bangs, head of the NUT's education department, said: "The stereotype of the drug ridden inner city school is obsolete. This study makes clear that the problem affects schools in all types of areas."

"Thankfully, the majority of our schools remain safe havens from drugs as a result of teachers' hard work. But the study gives no grounds for complacency," Mr Bangs warned.

Teachers must have support from their managers and the authorities and need guidance in identifying drugs misuse and in educating against involvement with drugs, he said.

"Parents, too, have a responsibility to help schools protect their children from drugs and to ensure their children are aware of the dangers and avoid them," he added.

Exclusions supported

A spokeswoman for the Department for Education said the government would back head teachers' decisions to exclude pupils over drugs.

"We would not expect appeal panels to reinstate a pupil who has been permanently excluded for presenting a significant risk to the health and safety of other pupils by selling illegal drugs," said the department spokeswoman.

Currently 93% of secondary schools and 75% of primaries had a drug education policy compared with 86% and 61% respectively in 1997, she said.

"We are working with teachers and other professionals, such as Connexions advisers, and drug advisors to ensure effective strategies are in place to prevent drug abuse," she said.

Funding for drug awareness education would rise from �7.5m in 2000-01 to �17.5m in 2003-04, she added.

The authorities covered by the research were: Bournemouth, Middlesbrough, Bristol, Norfolk, Cardiff, Northumberland, East Sussex, Nottinghamshire, Islington, Pembrokeshire, Leeds, Tameside and Leicester.