Drugs: Children criminalised by gangs says former addict

Mr Condron turned his life around and now works to help others with drug and alcohol problems while advocating for social change.

His story is mirrored by the findings of the Children, Young People and Education Committee, which said opportunities to stop organised crime groups taking advantage of children were being missed.

It heard evidence that few exploited children were regularly attending school.

Conservative committee member Tom Gifford said: “Young people in almost every part of Wales are being dragged into this.

“The whole system needs to do a better job at talking to each other to make sure young people don’t fall between the gap.”

Action for Children reported that more than 90% of the children referred to their services in Wales had faced exclusion from education.

Wales reached it highest ever rates of exclusions from schools at the end of October this year, according to the latest released figures.

“The pandemic has changed the nature of behaviour in the classroom,” Mr Gifford said.

“Teachers are often in an impossible position.

“We’ve asked the Welsh government to look at whether the guidance for schools can be updated to reflect the wider risk factors of exploitation.”