§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of juvenile crime was linked to the use of(a) alcohol and (b) drugs in each of the last 10 years. [61102]
§ Mr. Bob AinsworthInformation about the proportion of juvenile crime linked to alcohol or drugs misuse in each of the last 10 years is not available.
We are, of course, aware that both alcohol and drugs misuse can be a significant factor in juvenile offending. Studies, such as the MORI Youth Survey published by the Youth Justice Board, provide a useful picture of the association between frequent drinking, drugs misuse and offending behaviour among young people. The 2002 MORI Youth Survey, published in May, while showing that a large proportion of young people have tried alcohol, shows clearly that those who admit to committing a criminal offence are likely to drink more regularly than those who do not. The survey similarly shows that young people who have committed a criminal offence within the previous 12 months are significantly more likely to have taken illegal drugs than those who have not offended.