Case Studies

Drug use surveyed

by msecadm4921

The extent and trends in illicit drug use based on the 2011-12 Crime Survey for England and Wales are the subject of a recent Home Office bulletin. The study includes information on the characteristics of drug takers, age of onset and desistance of drug taking, frequency of use and accessibility of drugs. From the 2011/12 Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW):

 

 

an estimated one in three adults (36.5 per cent) had ever taken an illicit drug in their lifetime (around 12 million people);

8.9 per cent had done so in the last year (nearly three million people); and

5.2 per cent in the last month (an estimated 1.7 million people).

As in previous years, in the 2011/12 survey cannabis was the most commonly used type of drug among adults in the last year (6.9pc), followed by powder cocaine (2.2pc) and ecstasy (1.4pc).

 

At 6.9 per cent the level of last year cannabis use remains around the lowest level since measurement began; the proportion is notably lower than in 1996 (9.5pc). After a rise between 1996 (9.5pc) and 2002/03 (10.9pc) there was a gradual decline for several years, but levels have steadied since 2009/10 (6.6pc).

 

Conversely, levels of last year powder cocaine use have increased since 1996 (0.6pc) with the sharpest increase occurring between 1996 and 2000 (2.0pc) followed by a more gradual increase to 3.0 per cent in 2008/09. Most recently, levels of powder cocaine use were similar in the 2010/11 (2.1pc) and 2011/12 (2.2pc) surveys. Although there was a fall in last year powder cocaine usage between 2009/10 (2.4pc) and 2010/11, levels in 2011/12 are now similar to those in 2009/10.

 

Figures for last year use of ecstasy were the same in the 2011/12 and 2010/11 (1.4pc) surveys but there has been a statistically significant decline in the long term from 1.8 per cent in 2000. 

 

In the 2011/12 survey, 19.3 per cent of 16 to 24 year olds had used an illicit drug in the last year; this remains around the lowest level since measurement began in 1996. As in previous years, the 2011/12 survey showed cannabis was the most commonly used type of drug in the last year (15.7pc), followed by powder cocaine (4.2pc).

 

ACPO lead for drugs, Chief Constable Tim Hollis said: “I welcome the Home Office report which contains a number of interesting and reassuring facts on an important social issue.

 

“We know that drugs are accessible to those who wish to take them but, in spite of that fact, reported illegal drug use is at the lowest since 1996 and during the last year 91% of people chose not to take drugs. Drug use by young people continues to be higher than for the population generally but 80% of our young people chose not to take drugs.

 

“The report clearly shows that people who use drugs obtain them predominantly from family and friends rather than from street dealers or the internet. That reinforces the importance of a strong and consistent approach to education and prevention.

 

“Police and other enforcement agencies will continue to focus their efforts on tackling serious and organised crime and the trafficking of illegal drugs whilst at the same time addressing drug related anti-social behaviour at local level. We continue to be very much aware of the impact of drug related crime on victims.

 

“Regarding longer term solutions, we recognise the importance of local partnership working to provide effective treatment and thus to reduce reoffending. Police will continue to work closely with other agencies to reduce the harm that drugs cause within our local communities.”

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