Lauren Russell: video allegedly shows teacher smoking with students

A shock video allegedly showing a Sydney teacher on a drug supply charge smoking an unknown substance while surrounded by uniformed students is spreading among the school community like wildfire. See the video here.

An alarming video which appears to show a Sydney high school teacher smoking an unknown substance from a Gatorade bottle while surrounded by uniformed students is spreading throughout a school community.

On February 4 police arrested Lauren Russell, 42, at her Beverly Hills home and charged her with supplying drugs over allegations she sold cannabis to her own students at Lucas Heights Community School in Sydney’s south.

Russell is yet to enter a plea to the charge.

A video has subsequently circulated among the school’s community which allegedly shows Russell smoking an unknown substance from a makeshift bong constructed from a Gatorade bottle and a piece of hose.

Lauren Russell (left).

In the video, the woman – allegedly Russell – is perched on a milk crate with the bong in her hands, surrounded by Lucas Heights students, before one person appears to reach over and light the bong and the woman exhales smoke away from them.

Russell’s matter was mentioned for the first time at Sutherland Local Court on February 9, where an unnamed legal representative sent an email asking for her matter to be adjourned for four weeks to obtain instructions.

The moment the woman smokes from the bong.

Documents tendered to Sutherland Local Court state police will allege Russell supplied cannabis at 3.30pm on December 15 last year at Menai.

A statement from NSW Police indicates Russell is alleged to have contacted and supplied the drugs to students out of school hours.

Lauren Russell.

One parent, who asked to remain anonymous, said the video had prompted outrage and concern among parents and is now believed to be circulating widely among the school’s students.

Russell has been suspended from her classroom duties while the court matter is underway.

A Department of Education spokesman said the department removed Russell as soon as they became aware of the allegations.

“They will not be allowed on school grounds and have been instructed not to contact students,” the spokesman said.

“We are deeply concerned by the allegations. We have high expectations of our employees.”

The spokesman said the department could not comment further while the matter remained before the court.