NINE percent of Barnsley’s 12 to 14-year-olds smoked cannabis in the last four weeks, according to a government survey published this week.

A further four percent said they had recently taken hard drugs, including cocaine, LSD, ecstasy, heroin, speed or magic mushrooms.

The report backs up claims by drugs workers that cannabis is widespread among many of Barnsley’s secondary schools.

Speaking at a council meeting on Monday, youth worker Angela van den Berg said there was “a lot of anecdotal evidence” to show that cannabis is widely available in schools and that it is often smoked behind sheds during school hours.

An earlier survey by the council and health service shows that almost 22 percent of year 10 pupils (aged 14 to 15) have tried an illegal drug, with cannabis the most popular narcotic, accounting for 92 percent of those who have tried drugs.

More than 37 percent of children surveyed said they had lost control as a result of taking drugs. The Barn, which gives advice to under 18s about sex, drugs and alcohol, has seen drug and alcohol referrals from schools skyrocket in the last year and a half.

The Barn manager, Claire Beevers, said the referral increase was good news, because it means schools are dealing with the problem in the right way.

“There is quite obviously an issue and the main thing is that services are working together to do something about it.

“The only way we can tackle it is by working together and recognising that there is an issue, and thankfully the schools are on board with that.”