Bullying and drug-related incidents in schools across New York are on the rise, according to this new report from the state comptroller’s office.

The report shows that both types of incidents are now higher than pre-pandemic levels. The comptroller's office analyzed data from the New York State Education Department, spanning seven school years from 2017 through 2024.

Psychologist Dr. Harris Stratyner says the findings are not surprising and believes the increase is another effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“When they went back to class, that behavior carried over,” Stratyner said. “And we started to see, ‘Oh, I bullied when I was anonymous. And now I’m bullying and I’m in class.’”

Stratyner also says adults—including elected politicians—need to be better.

“Can you stop using filthy language and cursing on the floor of the Senate and the floor of the Congress?” he said. “Maybe that will be a good example for kids. Adults need to lead by example.”

It said bullying accounted for just under 62% of all reported incidents during the 2022–2023 school year, with more than 29,000 cases reported statewide.

There were 1,734 schools that reported no incidents of bullying that year, including some in the Hudson Valley and Westchester.

News 12 reached out to school districts in the area for their response to the report. Mount Vernon’s Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Demario A. Strickland, said the district is “committed to eliminating all forms of bullying in its schools and has been working continually toward that end.”

The district noted it has been using the “No Place for Hate” program since the 2022–2023 school year. The program is a national initiative run by the Anti-Defamation League.

Dr. Stratyner also believes the increased accessibility of marijuana is a key reason drug-related incidents in schools have risen.