Teenagers caught dealing at school were among more than 180 children arrested for drug offences in a year.

New figures released by Sussex Police show that drug misuse is rife among secondary school pupils in the county.

Experts have warned action needs to be taken to tackle the problem before it develops any further.

The statistics, published under the Freedom of Information Act, show that 37 under 16s were arrested during the 2006/7 academic year for either supplying drugs or having drugs with intent to supply.

Two of them were caught in the act while they were in their school buildings.

Another 149 teenagers were arrested for other drug offences in the same period.

It comes as a university study revealed that growing numbers of pupils are found carrying drugs and weapons every week at school.

The study, carried out by the University of Warwick, investigated local councils across the country, including Brighton and Hove.

Arundel and South Downs MP Nick Herbert, the shadow justice minister, said the situation required urgent attention.

He said: "Sussex Police will have the full support of the community in seeking to stamp out drugs at the county's schools. It's an issue which must be treated with the utmost urgency."

The force has developed a series of measures to target drug and other crimes among teenagers and at schools.

It has PCSOs and PCs based at a number of schools and runs several education programmes warning young people of the dangers of substance abuse.

A spokeswoman for drug treatment charity Addaction said: "Unfortunately these figures are not surprising. Many young people are unaware that they could be charged with supplying drugs for what they see as sharing with friends.

"The signs of drug use are there for all to see - skipping school, changes in behaviour, getting into trouble with the police - though they often get missed.

"We would like to see problems spotted earlier and support provided sooner for those who get caught up in drug use."

The study by Warwick University, as revealed in yesterday's Argus (Monday), found a core of schools saw a significant increase in pupils with guns, knives and illegal drugs over the past seven years.

The study of 1,500 teachers suggested some schools faced severe problems.

The report said "significantly more" teachers encountered pupils dealing illegal drugs on a monthly and weekly basis than seven years ago.

The report said: "In schools where drugs do occur, such as urban secondary schools, 11 per cent of teachers encountered them daily or weekly."

The National Union of Teachers, which commissioned the study, warned the culture of drugs and weapons had spread beyond the well-known areas such as south London and Liverpool.

John Bangs, head of education at the National Union of Teachers (NUT), said: "Do not assume it is just the urban areas exclusively - some of the toughest areas are in the country, on the outskirts of small and medium-sized towns."

In February The Argus reported on a Worthing house party held by 15-year-old Gemma Johnson which descended into drug-fuelled mayhem.

Her parents Julia and Robert Anscomb said they had returned to their house to find drugs scattered around and their dog in a daze after swallowing ecstasy and speed pills.

In East Sussex new mental health teams made up of nurses, social workers, psychiatrists, doctors, occupational therapists and psychologists have been set up to work with teenagers and young adults who have developed problems as a result of smoking cannabis.

Sussex Police said no-one was available to comment on the issue or any new drug initiatives.

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