Health Minister and Northcote MP Jonathan Coleman has confirmed he was at a school ball for parents where fake cocaine was on show.

Pictures of the event at Northcote Primary School, which had a "Vegas" theme, reveal icing sugar was displayed on mirrors complete with razors and powder lines.

Fake cocaine, which was actually icing sugar, was served up at the school ball. Photo / Supplied

Dr Coleman said he attended Saturday's school fundraiser because his children go there.

But he said he was unaware icing sugar was being used to replicate drugs on school grounds until he heard it in the media yesterday.

Dr Coleman is scathing in his assessment of the story.

"I was there all night, and frankly I didn't even know this prop was there, so call me naive, but look the school and all the people there - no one there is condoning drug use, and frankly it's a massive beat-up."

Dr Coleman has conceded that parents and teachers should be leading by example.

But he said it's a small detail given the context of the fundraising effort.