Drug use 2011

1. "We've engaged in a war
against drugs for 30 years.
We're plainly losing it. We have
not achieved very much
Drug Use by Young People
progress.”
in
England Clarke MP, July 2012
Rt. Hon Kenneth (and Wales)
2011/12
Not so fast, Ken...

2. Please note
• Data for 11-15 year olds is from Smoking,
Drinking and Drug Use in England in 2011
http://bit.ly/MKQfAo
• Data for 16-24 year olds is from Drug Misuse
Declared: Findings from the 2011/12 Crime
Survey for England and Wales
http://bit.ly/MKQhrO

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. This is also true for 16-19 year olds

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

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

12. 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.