Adelaide students caught using and dealing drugs in schoolyards

From smoking cannabis in the schoolyard to making pipes in class, drug use in South Australian schools is on the rise.

A 9NEWS investigation has revealed students are turning up stoned and drunk – and, in some cases, dealing drugs in the playground.

Education department documents show students were caught abusing marijuana, LSD, speed and even ADHD medication last year.

Sixteen youths were suspended in Adelaide’s north, including the ares of Tea Tree Gully, Elizabeth and Virginia.

Eleven were caught in the southern region, seven in the east and three in Adelaide’s western suburbs.

In one alarming case at a northern suburbs school, four students were suspended after a “joint” was smoked in class.

A relief teacher was either at the other end of the room, or just outside.

The Education Union says it’s alarmed – but not surprised – that figures have risen sharply in the past year.

It is calling for the return of state-wide drug awareness programs.

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