Martin Barnes, chief executive of DrugScope, said it was "ironic" that the measures were being encouraged at a time when funding for drug information workers in schools was at risk.
Money for drug advisers in schools has been ring-fenced for the past three years but this will stop in April.
"Education and prevention is meant to be the primary focus for young people and this is obviously not the case in reality," Barnes said.
However, the Local Government Association did not think there would be any substantial withdrawal of drug advisory teams across the country.
"Funding from government takes many forms - you tend to have a series of time-limited projects," said a spokeswoman. "When these projects come to an end it is then up to schools and local authorities to decide how to continue funding." The Department for Education and Skills said: "Drug education remains a statutory part of the curriculum and local education authorities play a key part in delivering this." In an interview with the News of the World last Sunday, the Prime Minister said schools should have the power to conduct drug tests on pupils.
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