§ Mr. Frank FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of people aged 16 to 24 years reported that they had used illegal drugs during the(a) past year and (b) past month in (i) 1999, (ii) 2000 and (iii) 2001. [5226]
§ Mr. Bob AinsworthThe British Crime Survey (BCS) provides data on the levels of self-reported drug use among a representative sample of the general population in England and Wales. The information requested is not available for the years requested.
The table provides the relevant data for 1996 and 1998. Data were not collected in 1999 since the BCS has been conducted every two years. From 2000 onwards, however, the BCS will be done every year. Data for 2000 will be published in autumn 2001. Data collection for 2001 is not yet complete.
Percentages of respondents aged 16 to 24 years reporting use of illegal drugs in the last year and last month, in England and Wales 1996 1998 Last year 29 29 Last month 18 19 Sources
BCS 1996 (weighted data)
Drug Misuse Declared in 1998: results from the British Crime Survey, Home Office Research Study 197 (http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs/hors197.pfd)