Drugs, vaping, weapons: Queensland state schools incidents ‘skyrocketing’

Queensland state schools handed out more than 40 drug-related disciplines a day this year with one trend behind the spike in suspensions and exclusions.

Queensland state schools handed out more than 40 drug-related disciplines a day this year in a major spike that Education Minister Grace Grace says is from a crackdown on vaping.

The latest Department of Education data has revealed an increase in school suspensions and exclusions for drug-related incidents, including for vaping, tobacco and medication.

As of November 15, 2022, Queensland state schools handed out 7853 suspensions or exclusions for drug-related incidents, up from 7514 in 2021.

State school students were also disciplined for bringing weapons to campus 520 times, below 2021 results where 657 disciplinary actions were enforced.

E-cigarettes were labelled as a “public health crisis” in a recent study while educators say vaping is rife across public and private schools.

Education Minister Grace Grace said vaping was a broader health issue that needed to be addressed by a society as a whole.

Grace Grace said vaping was an issue that needed to be addressed by society as a whole, not only by schools. Picture: Steve Pohlner

“The growth in drug-related incidents relates primarily to the increase in students suspended for vaping,” Ms Grace said.

“Vaping is banned at all Queensland state schools and a range of resources are available to help schools reduce its prevalence.

“Schools will play their part, but these issues do not start and finish at the school gate.”

Ms Grace stressed that the vast majority of 570,000 students across 1258 schools were well behaved, and that every incident was taken seriously.

LNP Education spokesman Dr Christian Rowan said the number of drug-related incidents had “skyrocketed” compared to the five-year average of 4120 per year from 2017-2021.

Vaping fast facts

• Powered vapes or e-cigarettes work by heating a liquid or “juice”, usually flavoured, which is then inhaled as a vapour by the user into the lungs.
• Liquids come in a variety of “fun” flavours such as fairly floss and chocolate, with the powered devices often disguised as everyday items such as pens, highlighters, USB sticks and even asthma puffers.
• Products vary, but usually contain a battery, a heating element and a refillable tank or cartridge. Some are resuable, while others are disposable.
• All vaping products are banned from Queensland schools.
• In Australia people under the age of 18 are banned from purchasing vapes or vaping-related product, however they can be found online.
• As of October 1 2021, nicotine vapes can only be purchased with a prescription.
• The long-term health effects of vaping are still unknown.
• Research has shown that many vapes are mislabelled, and even those claiming to be nicotine free, may include the substance.
• There have been cases of teens in Australia and overseas suffering serious health issues from extended vaping, including stroke and death.
• Vaping is associated with an increased likelihood of future tobacco smoking.

Source: Lung Foundation Australia

It was revealed in Budget Estimates earlier this year that 20,631 drug-related incidents were reported in Queensland state schools from January 2017 to December 2021.

It comes on the back of 2021 data which showed more than 100 children in Years 5 and 6 were disciplined for misconduct involving an illicit substance.

Dr Rowan said the new data was “deeply concerning” and drugs and weapons incidents often resulted in violence and created significant safety risks.

“These figures reveal that over the last two years, in which there was also the implementation of various learn-from-home schooling arrangements, Queensland has recorded more than 40 drugs-related incidents every school day,” Dr Rowan said.

“That’s as well as more than three weapons-related incidents each school day.

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

Hundreds of state school students received suspensions for vaping this year. Picture: John Appleyard

Ms Grace said the safety of students and staff in Queensland schools was the highest priority.

She said there was a fine line between consequences for poor behaviour, particularly behaviour where that risked safety of others, and maximising learning days for students.

“This is something I’ve asked the department to have a particular focus on, and preliminary statistics indicate this year student disciplinary absences are trending to some of the lowest levels in five years,” Ms Grace said.

“Maximising learning days and addressing student disciplinary absences are also identified as key priorities in our new draft equity and excellence strategy.”