HC Deb 19 September 2003 vol 410 cc1213-4W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of people under the age of 25 years reported the use of Class A drugs in each of the last six years. [130482]

Caroline Flint

The British Crime Survey estimates last year use of Class A drugs by 16 to 24-year-olds since 1996 as being:

Percentage
1996 9
1998 9
2000 10
2001–02 9

Note:

From 2001–02, the BCS reporting period moved to financial years

However, none of these changes are statistically significant. Class A drug use has therefore been stable between 1996 and 2001–02. Data for 2002–03 will be published later in the year.

The 'Smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in England in 2002' survey estimates last year Class A drug use among 11 to 15-year-olds since 1998 as being:

Percentage
1998 3
1999 2
2000 4
2001 4
2002 4

A revised method for measuring the prevalence of drug use was introduced in 2001. Therefore, estimates used in 2001 and 2002 are not strictly comparable with results from previous sweeps.