Weapons, drug incidents recorded in Qld schools every day

Queensland kids are being found with weapons and drugs every day in Queensland schools, with new figures showing thousands of incidents are occurring every year.

Queensland kids are being found with weapons and drugs every day in Queensland schools, with new figures showing thousands of incidents are occurring every year.

As part of this week’s budget estimates the Department of Education has revealed over the past five years, there have been an average of 630 weapons incidents every year in state schools – about three incidents for each school day.

There have also been an average of 4100 drug incidents, which includes tobacco and vapes, equal to about 21 a day.

LNP education spokesman Dr Christian Rowan said the figures were “deeply concerning”, and said the state government was ”losing control of safety in our schools”.

“Drug and weapons related incidents often result in violence and significant safety risks,” Dr Rowan said.

“Parents, students, teachers, and staff deserve answers from the State Government about how they will fix safety in our schools”.

A Department of Education spokesman said staff “work hard to ensure the safety of the more than 575,000 students studying in Queensland state schools”.

The spokesman also said the numbers did not reflect how many kids were involved, saying some students were responsible for multiple incidents.

The Courier-Mail has previously revealed WorkCover claims among teachers and school staff have surged more than 78 per cent in five years, with payouts skyrocketing to close to $65 million last year.

Dr Rowan said the figures reveal the “full extent of the safety crisis engulfing our schools”.