In total, 259 pupils were suspended for using illicit substances, of whom two were in primary schools. A further 11 secondary school age children were excluded.

The figures have emerged in an investigation into the scourge of drug use among Norfolk children which also found 120 youngsters had accessed treatment for drugs and alcohol in the county last year.

New figures have revealed the scale of drug abuse among children, with 120 youngsters receiving treatment (Image: PA Wire)

Nearly 10pc of children seeking treatment are under 14 years of age.

Ministers have blamed social media for making it easier for youngsters to buy illicit substances online, which they say is fuelling a rise in the number of children seeking treatment nationally.

Officials say young people are facing long waits to receive help, describing the situation as a "postcode lottery" as to whether they can access adequate support.

Primary school children have been suspended for drug use in Norfolk (Image: Dave Thompson/PA Wire)

WHAT ARE THE FINDINGS?

Data obtained by the BBC Shared Data Unit found there were mote than 16,000 under-18s in drug and alcohol treatment in England last year - a 13pc increase from 2023-2024.

The number of children seeking help in Norfolk has actually decreased, bucking the national trend.

However, the decline is minuscule - a 4pc drop from 125 in 2023-2024 to 120 in........

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