Lauren Russell: teacher charged with drug supply to students enters plea

A Sydney teacher allegedly depicted smoking a bong with students before she was charged with supplying drugs has now indicated her next move in court.

A Sydney teacher accused of supplying cannabis to students will attempt to have her charge dismissed under the Mental Health Act.

Lauren Russell, 42, was charged with one count of drug supply as police allege the high school physics teacher supplied cannabis to her students at Lucas Heights Community School in Sydney’s south.

Lauren Russell.

Video subsequently emerged allegedly depicting Russell taking a hit from a bong crafted from a Gatorade bottle and exhaling smoke as she perches on a milk crate surrounded by students near Menai Skate Park.

Video allegedly depicting Lauren Russell.

Russell’s legal representative appeared on her behalf via audiovisual link at Sutherland Local Court on March 9, where they entered a plea of not guilty.

The court heard Russell will seek to have her charge dealt with under Section 14, which allows a magistrate to dismiss a charge and discharge the defendant into the care of a responsible person, to treatment or rehabilitation, or without conditions.

If a magistrate dismisses a charge under Section 14, it does not necessarily indicate the charge against the defendant is proven or otherwise.

Russell at her Beverly Hills home. Picture: John Grainger

The matter will return to Sutherland Local Court on June 1, with Russell’s lawyer required to file evidence for her mental health claim in advance.

Documents previously tendered to the court reveal police will allege Russell supplied cannabis to students between 3pm and 6pm on December 15 last year.

Russell at her home. Picture: John Grainger

A school newsletter from Lucas Heights Community School’s website indicates Russell began working at the school in 2014 after transferring from Canley Vale High School in Sydney’s southwest.

Russell originally hails from Maryland in the United States.