19th March 2026
There were 16, 212 children (aged 17 and under) in alcohol and drug treatment between April 2024 and March 2025. This is a 13% increase from the previous year (14,352). Cannabis remained the most common substance (86%).
(38%) said they had problems with alcohol use, 8% had problems with ecstasy and 6% reported problems with powder cocaine use. There has been a rise in the number reporting problems with ketamine, from 512 (5%) in 2021 to 2022 to 1,465 (9%) this year, which means more children reported problems with ketamine than with ecstasy for the first time. The number of children in treatment for solvent and inhalant misuse, which includes using nitrous oxide, has risen from 329 (3%) 2021 to 2022 to 919 (6%) in 2024 to 2025.
We highly recommend that you use our suite of lesson plans covering all of the facts, risks and consequences in an engaging and interactive way via: Drug, Alcohol and Nicotine Workbook: Talk about Drug, Alcohol and Nicotine Education tool kit | Talk About Trust Teacher Workbook: Teacher Workbook for England and Wales | Talk About Trust Teacher Workbook for Scotland: Teacher Workbook for Scotland | Talk About Trust
We have I or 2 hour training available on cannabis, the law, health effects and what works in education for young people, please do email kathryn@talkabouttrust.org to organise and view our extensive cannabis resources here: School resources | Talk About Trust