§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the research into how the users of higher class drugs start drug taking; and what the role,(a) other drugs and (b) cannabis have had as gateways. [136267]
§ Caroline FlintThere is no available research evidence that examines specifically how Class A drugs users start using drugs and distinguishes this group from other drug users.
There have been no recent UK studies that have looked specifically at cannabis as a gateway drug. However, some analysis has been undertaken which examines wider progression from one group of drugs to another. This analysis used the 1998–99 Youth Lifestyles Survey, which questioned 3,700 young people aged between12–30 years.
The analysis examined progression from a group of drugs including cannabis, LSD, amphetamines, amyl nitrate and magic mushrooms to a group of highly dangerous drugs, including heroin, crack and methadone. When social and psychological factors, such as disturbed family background and disadvantaged 234W location were taken into account, little evidence was found for a gateway effect caused by use of the first group of drugs.
This analysis can be found in Home Office Research Study 253 entitled: 'The Road to Ruin? Sequences of Initiation into Drug Use and Offending by Young People in Britain'. Copies of this report can be found in the Library.
§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage cannabis users represented of total drug users in the UK in each year since 1997. [136268]
§ Caroline FlintThe table shows the percentage of total drug users in the last year that have used cannabis. This table also shows the percentage of total drug users in the last year that have used cannabis only. These figures are taken from the British Crime Survey, undertaken in 1998, 2000 and 2001–02.
Cannabis use by drug users in the last year Percentage Any cannabis use Cannabis use only 1998 87 53 2000 89 55 2001–02 89 59