More Portsmouth teenagers seeking help for drug use
Portsmouth has seen a steady rise in drug misuse among teenagers, according to new data.
Recent findings by the BBC’s Shared Data Unit show that drug use among Portsmouth teens has increased in recent years.
Between 2023/24 and 2024/25, the number of under-18s in drug treatment rose from 35 to 50, with males and females equally represented.
Of these patients, 30 were aged 15 and under, including 10 aged under 14.
Cannabis was the most commonly used drug, accounting for 45 cases, followed by alcohol (20), ketamine (10), cocaine (5) and ecstasy (5).
Referrals most frequently came through social care services, followed by education, and family and friends.
Some 84 school suspensions were issued in Portsmouth over drugs and alcohol, with no expulsions recorded.
The number of teens receiving treatment in Portsmouth was slightly higher than in Southampton, which recorded 30 cases in 2024/25 – double the number from the previous year.
Brighton and Hove recorded 135 teens in treatment in 2024/25, up from 115 the year before.
Across England, there were 16,212 teens in treatment in 2024/25, equating to 13 per 10,000 under-18s – an increase from 11 the previous year.
The South East recorded 1,780 under-18s in treatment in 2024/25, also up on the previous year.
The region with the highest number of under-18s in treatment was the North West, with 3,105 cases in 2024/25.
Professor Dame Carol Black, the government’s independent adviser on drugs, said that a “very worrying” increase in mental health problems and the availability of drugs online are contributing to rising drug treatment among under-18s.
She said that previous austerity measures had “demolished” vital workforces, forcing the government to “turn the tank around” in order to rebuild drug services.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “We are committed to ensuring that anyone with a drug or alcohol problem can access the help and support they need.
“That’s why, from 2026, all treatment and recovery funding will be channelled through the Public Health Grant, with over £13bn allocated across three years, including £3.4bn ringfenced for drug and alcohol treatment and recovery.
“Through our ten year health plan, we will also continue to expand support as we shift the focus from sickness to prevention.”
Professor Black also raised doubts over the effectiveness of residential care placements that take young people away from their friends and family, stating that the benefits need to outweigh the “trauma of separation”.
She added: “Adequate in-patient facilities should be available for young people with complex needs but considered very carefully so that their education and connection to family needs are not unnecessarily disrupted.”
Portsmouth City Council highlighted its Drug and Alcohol Support Service (DASS) which is funded by Public Health and delivered within Children’s Services.
“We provide one-to-one sessions tailored to each young person’s needs. These sessions include harm reduction advice, education and awareness, safety planning and risk reduction strategies.
“Our approach is led by young people and by working collaboratively, we help develop practical steps to reduce harm and improve wellbeing.
“Beyond individual support, the DASS delivers training and education in schools and community settings, equipping professionals and families with the knowledge to support young people effectively.
“They will also refer parents and carers to the PSL Family and Friends Project. They support anyone affected by a loved one’s substance use.
“Through these interventions and ongoing partnerships, we are committed to minimising harm, promoting safety, and supporting positive change for young people in Portsmouth.”