Drug use statistics
About 30% of adults in Britain have used illicit drugs at some time in their lives, but abuse of prescription drugs (such as benzodiazepines) is probably even more widespread. The number of new drug users is rising. Rates are higher in young males of lower socio-economic status. Rates of drug abuse are increased in prisoners and the homeless.
The 2001/2 British Crime Survey reported the following rates of drug use among 16 to 24 year olds in the previous year.
| Males % | Females % | |
|---|---|---|
| Cannabis | 33 | 21 |
| Amphetamines | 7 | 3 |
| Ecstasy | 9 | 4 |
| Magic mushrooms or LSD | 3 | 1 |
| Cocaine | 7 | 2 |
| *All Class A drugs | 12 | 5 |
| Any drug | 35 | 24 |
| * Includes heroin, cocaine (both cocaine powder and 'crack'), ecstasy, magic mushrooms, LSD and unprescribed use of methadone. |
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Multiple drug use is common, especially in young people who are part of the drug scene. It has been reported that 25% of 18 year olds have used two or more illicit drugs.
Drug abuse often goes undetected and official statistics are likely to underestimate the number of people affected.
Amended June 2008
