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Drug use 'at lowest for decade' Drug use 'at lowest for decade'
(9 minutes later)
Drug use in England and Wales is at its lowest overall level since 1996, according to new Home Office figures.Drug use in England and Wales is at its lowest overall level since 1996, according to new Home Office figures.
They show 10% of 16 to 59-year-olds used drugs in 2005 and the use of Class A drugs like cocaine has levelled off after a big increase in the late 1990s.They show 10% of 16 to 59-year-olds used drugs in 2005 and the use of Class A drugs like cocaine has levelled off after a big increase in the late 1990s.
Meanwhile, seizures of drugs - largely cannabis - rose by 50% in 2005.Meanwhile, seizures of drugs - largely cannabis - rose by 50% in 2005.
The figures, first published in July and based on a survey of 31,233 people, found the highest level of drug use was in south west and north west England. The figures, first released in July and based on a survey of 31,233 people, found the highest levels of drug use in England's South West and North West.
The lowest level of use of all types of drugs was in the West Midlands and East of England.The lowest level of use of all types of drugs was in the West Midlands and East of England.
Class A drug use specifically was greatest in the north east and north west of England and lowest in Wales. Class A drug use specifically was greatest in the North East and North West of England and lowest in Wales.
Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said seizures of Class A drugs had increased by almost a third.Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said seizures of Class A drugs had increased by almost a third.
"That means in 2005 enforcement agencies stopped 3.8 tonnes of cocaine, almost two tonnes of heroin, close to three million doses of ecstasy and over a million doses of LSD from harming individuals," Mr Coaker said."That means in 2005 enforcement agencies stopped 3.8 tonnes of cocaine, almost two tonnes of heroin, close to three million doses of ecstasy and over a million doses of LSD from harming individuals," Mr Coaker said.
"This thwarts the supply of illegal substances to communities and limits the damage they can cause.""This thwarts the supply of illegal substances to communities and limits the damage they can cause."
He said the government was determined to bring down drug use even further.He said the government was determined to bring down drug use even further.
Young peopleYoung people
The figures compare the period since the British Crime Survey (BCS) first began gathering statistics on drug use in 1996.The figures compare the period since the British Crime Survey (BCS) first began gathering statistics on drug use in 1996.
The fall in overall drug use in that period was put down largely to the reduction in cannabis use since 2003.The fall in overall drug use in that period was put down largely to the reduction in cannabis use since 2003.
Class A drug use was higher in 2006/7 than in 1998. This was largely due to an increase in the use of cocaine between 1998 and 2000.Class A drug use was higher in 2006/7 than in 1998. This was largely due to an increase in the use of cocaine between 1998 and 2000.
Among 16 to 24-year-olds, overall drug use was down from 31.8% in 1998 to 24.1% in 2006/7.Among 16 to 24-year-olds, overall drug use was down from 31.8% in 1998 to 24.1% in 2006/7.
Men reported higher levels of drug use than women.Men reported higher levels of drug use than women.
The statistics were compiled from answers to the BCS drug survey given by 31,233 people, including 5,786 aged between 16 and 24.The statistics were compiled from answers to the BCS drug survey given by 31,233 people, including 5,786 aged between 16 and 24.
Cannabis seizuresCannabis seizures
There were 161,113 drug seizures by HM Revenue and Customs in 2005. There were 161,113 drug seizures by HM Revenue and Customs in 2005, the most recent year for which figures are available.
That was up by 47% on the previous year, largely due to the introduction of "street warnings" for people found in possession of cannabis.That was up by 47% on the previous year, largely due to the introduction of "street warnings" for people found in possession of cannabis.
These allow police to dispose of cases more quickly by seizing the drugs and issuing a formal warning.These allow police to dispose of cases more quickly by seizing the drugs and issuing a formal warning.
It also means a greater number of drugs offences are recorded as seizures rather than simple cautions.It also means a greater number of drugs offences are recorded as seizures rather than simple cautions.