By Alice Cachia and Charlotte Green

SMOKING, drinking and taking drugs accounts for more school exclusions in Oldham than anywhere else in Greater Manchester.

Figures from the government reveal that the borough had the highest level of drug, alcohol and cigarette-related temporary exclusions in 2016/17 with 143 suspensions issued.

This is up from 104 in 2015, and just 50 in 2014.

The figure was significantly higher than the nine other authorities in the region, with the second highest in Bolton being 92, and Manchester having 76 temporary exclusions.

Cabinet member for education, Councillor Paul Jacques said the town hall encourages pupils to abstain from harmful activities such as drinking and smoking, but were not ‘naive’.

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that fixed term exclusions in Oldham were down by nearly 40pc last year.

The annual figures for that year have not yet been made publicly available by the Department for Education.

Their data covers children who attend state primary, secondary and special schools.

But a charity that works to prevent alcohol and drug misuse among youngsters has expressed fears that the rising numbers are symptomatic of children being "pushed into the margins".

The DfE data shows there were a total of 21,462 temporary exclusions – for all reasons – in Greater Manchester in 2016/17.

That means one in 34 was related to drugs, alcohol or cigarettes.

Salford had the lowest number, with just 37 fixed term exclusions.

Coun Jacques said: “Oldham Council, like authorities across the borough, encourages our school pupils not to take drugs, drink alcohol or smoke due to the negative impact it can have on them physically and their education.

“However, on the other hand we aren’t naive and know some young people will do things which could be detrimental to their health and wellbeing.

“The council and our partners will support our young people who need help.

“We work closely with our schools to promote drugs and alcohol education and in the year 2017/18 there was a significant 38pc reduction in the number of fixed term exclusions, placing us on a similar level with a number of other Greater Manchester authorities.”

He added: “The decision to exclude pupils is always made by the head teacher of the individual schools and not the council.”

Boris Pomroy is CEO of Mentor UK, a charity that works to prevent alcohol and drug misuse among children and young people.

He said the figures were part of a broader picture of growing numbers of young people being excluded from mainstream education and ‘pushed into the margins’.

“These are often troubled children who, without the right support in place will never go on to fulfil their potential,” Mr Pomroy said.

“Society will have failed them and, in turn, they will go on to fail society.”

Children need regular and high quality education on drug and alcohol issues guaranteed by the government to make sure they ‘make positive, healthy choices as they grow up’, he added.

In primary schools last year in Oldham, there were 321 fixed term exclusions, with 147 children being suspended from school at least once.

Across state secondary schools this number rose to 1,506, with 830 students having one of more suspensions.

Paul Axon​ is director of targeted services at Positive Steps, which offers help and support to young people across the borough who are struggling or at risk of substance misuse through the Oldham Alcohol and Substance Intervention Service (OASIS).

He said: “We recognise the anxiety and  stress these issues can cause so would also encourage parents to get in touch if you are worried about your child.

“We are here to help and support wherever possible.”

Young people can access the OASIS service confidentially by contacting 0800 988 2209 or through the Positive Steps website.