A primary school pupil in York was suspended for substance misuse, according to the latest figures which come amid a rise in under 18s receiving drug and alcohol treatment.
Data analysed by the BBC showed the pupil was among the 45 suspended or excluded from York primary and secondary schools in connection with drugs and alcohol in 2023/4.
Forty-three secondary school pupils were suspended over drugs or alcohol use in the city and one was excluded, along with the one primary pupil.
City of York Council’s public health lead Peter Roderick said the rise showed services were getting better at finding and bringing young people into treatment and it mirrored regional and national trends.
Mr Roderick said: “We are working every day to reduce harm, support recovery, and help children and families stay safe and well.
“The fact that the numbers of children and young people in treatment has risen in York over the last period shows that through new commissioned services we are now improving pathways and identification of young people with substance issues and getting them support.”
Mr Roderick said officials were investing in effective prevention, treatment and long-term recovery and were focused on early intervention for children and young people.
He added national funding had helped to strengthen local pathways into treatment, expand trauma-informed practices and ensure better support for families affected by substance misuse.
A Government spokesperson said they were committed to ensuring anyone with a drug or alcohol problem can access the help and support they need.
It comes as experts have warned young people with drug problems face a postcode lottery for treatment nationally, putting lives at risk, amid rising numbers of those getting help.
In York, 35 of the 45 young people in treatment in 2024-5 were receiving it for cannabis use, with 25 getting help for alcohol.
Five were receiving treatment due to cocaine use and five were in it after taking a New Psychoactive Substance (NPS), synthetic products designed to mimic existing drugs.
Data records up to three substances for each young person in treatment.
Thirty of those in treatment were male and the other 15 were female.
Of the 30 referrals in 2024/5, 15 were through education, 10 came from family and friends and five were by the criminal justice system.
Drug or alcohol-related suspensions made up 1 per cent of the 4,268 total for that year while exclusions linked to substances accounted for seven per cent of 15.
