Extent of drug use by children revealed

Statistics released by the Department of Health show that 12 per
cent of young people in England, aged from 11 to 15, have admitted
to using drugs in the past month and 20 per cent in the last
year.

The figures for the last year ranged from 6 per cent of 11 year
olds to 39 per cent of 15 year olds.

The research, conducted in 2001, found that among 11 to 15 year
olds:

• Cannabis was the most frequently reported illicit drug, used in
  the last year by 13 per cent of children.
• 4 per cent had used class A drugs in the last year.

Further statistics on drug use among 16 to 24 year olds found 29
per cent using drugs in the past year and 18 per cent in the past
month. Six per cent used amphetamines, 5 per cent used ecstasy, and
9 per cent had used class A drugs in the last year. The research
was carried out in England and Wales in 2000.