Children reported for carrying drugs in Teesside schools increases fivefold
A TFM investigation found most children were found carrying cannabis, one with intent to supply. Cannabis campaigner John Holliday says it's now easier for kids to get hold of cannabis than tobacco.
A TFM investigation has revealed the number of children reported to police for carrying drugs at school has increased fivefold.
A Freedom of Information request to Cleveland Police found over a two year period from June 2013 to March 2015, 21 children were reported to police for drug possession in schools.
That's compared to only four children in the two years previous.
In all but two cases, the children were found to be carrying cannabis, with one children intending to deal the drug.
The children were reported from schools across Teesside, including in Middlesbrough, Hartlepool and Saltburn.
In around 50 per cent of cases in the last two years, the children reported were given a caution, which remains on their record for two years.
Only one child was charged with drug possession.
John Holliday is founder of Teesside Cannabis Club, and says it's now easier for kids to get hold of drugs than it is for them to buy cigarettes.
He told TFM: "If you look at cigarettes 10 to 15 years ago, they were readily available on every street corner.
"Now through regulation it's harder for a kid to get hold of cigarettes than it is to buy cannabis.
"It would be better for the community if we did have some regulation in place and I think the key is education."
The pro-cannabis campaigner also had concerns about handing out youth cautions to children for drug offences, rather than putting them on anti-drug programmes.
"The schools need to use their own discretion rather than just following the law.
"Maybe use an intervention rather than getting the police involved.
"You're ruining a child's life over a small amount of cannabis."
Cleveland Police were unavailable for comment.