Drug Use by Young People in England (and Wales)

2011/12

"We've engaged in a war against drugs for 30 years. We're plainly losing it. We have not achieved very much progress.”

Rt. Hon Kenneth Clarke MP, July 2012

Not so fast, Ken...

Please note

• Data for 11-15 year olds is from Smoking, Drinking and Drug Use in England in 2011http://bit.ly/MKQfAo

• Data for 16-24 year olds is from Drug Misuse Declared: Findings from the 2011/12 Crime Survey for England and Waleshttp://bit.ly/MKQhrO

Less than 1/5 of young people took drugs last year

Drug use has also fallen among 11-15 year olds (use in past year)

Drug use has been falling among young adults (16-24)

Half of all recent (last year) drug users are under the age of 25

Full-time students are more likely to take drugs than other occupations

Cannabis remains the most widely used illicit drug among 11-15 year olds

This is also true for 16-19 year olds

The most popular ‘legal high’ Mephedrone seems to have become less popular

For 16-24 year olds, the only drug bucking the downward trend is cocaine

Mentor’s View

The latest figures on drug use and drinking amongst young people show a welcome decline in drug use by 11-15 year olds and 16-24 year olds - but no grounds for complacency.The need to protect our young people by providing them with the skills, knowledge and positive examples to make informed decisions about different types of risky behaviours, including drugs, remains urgent.