Drug-related suspensions have more than doubled at Queensland state schools in the past five years, and the increase is being driven by vaping, according to the education department.
There were 8,654 drug-related suspensions and exclusions in 2022, up more 1,000 on the year before, figures obtained by the ABC show.
In 2017, there were 3,143.
The education department said the increase in suspensions can primarily be attributed to the rise in students vaping or possessing vapes and e-cigarettes – despite the devices being banned in schools.
"We know vaping is happening in our schools and it's an issue the department takes very seriously," an education department spokesperson said.
The figures include short suspensions of up to 10 days, long suspensions and exclusions, where a student is asked to leave a school. The department was unable to break down which suspensions involved vaping.
Vaping and smoking is banned at all state schools in Queensland, and within five metres of campuses.
It is only legal to use a vape or e-cigarette containing nicotine if you have a prescription from a doctor and the device is supplied by a pharmacist or through a Therapeutic Goods Association process.
Kids 'think vaping is safe'
Gold Coast principal Mark Peggrem said students caught with vapes often thought the practice was harmless.
But some vapes have been found to contain the same chemical used in anti-freeze, artificial smoke machines, and paint solvent.
"They're saying, 'Sir, we don't understand why you're worried about it, it's not hurting anyone, it has no harmful impacts on our health, you know, this shouldn't be illegal'," the Pacific Pines State High School principal said.
"We are on a campaign to educate our parents and our kids, and actually show that in fact, what's on the label is not actually what's in this stuff and it is a highly toxic chemical."
He said kids are finding ways around the laws to get a hold of them.
"They're either getting it online, through either older friends or family, or they are buying under the counter in places that sell vapes to adults," he said.
He said both discipline and non-punitive consequences have stopped students from doing it again.
"It also means working with our school nurse, it means the family are brought in for counselling, it means that they're educated and … we want to explain exactly what's in these things and what they're doing to their bodies," he said.
"We've found, actually, not a single kid has doubled-up after that intervention.
"So that's been very powerful."
How are they getting into schools?
The Queensland government has begun an inquiry into vaping, and how they are getting into kids' hands.
Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said children as young as 10 had been found at school with vapes.
She said parents are begging for help to teach their children about its dangers.
"So many people say, 'Well, it's harmless', but it's not harmless, you're sucking chemicals into your lungs," she said.
Queensland Teachers Union vice president Leah Olsson said schools were dealing with students vaping every day, and it's adding to teachers' workloads.
She wants more resources for schools to respond to it.
"When students are out of the classroom, then teachers have to pick up where they left off and make sure that they're up to speed," she said.
"Teachers and school leaders manage a whole range of complex issues every day, and vaping is one of them."
