The statistics from the NHS Information Centre showed 1,241 under-16s were hospitalised because of drugs last year – a rise of 45 per cent compared to 1996-97.
The number of teenagers needing hospital treatment because of drugs was nearly 10,000 – an increase of ten per cent in a year.
However, overall drug use among both children and adults is decreasing, according to the figures.
The proportion of school-age children reporting taking drugs in the last year fell from 20 per cent in 2001 to 17 per cent in 2007.
Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said the figures painted a “bleak” picture.
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