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Statistics on young people and drug misuse: England, 1998
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Last modified date:20 April 2004
This bulletin presents information on drug misuse and young people aged under 25 years in 1998 from two key published sources. Some trend information is also included.
Summary
- In 1998, 11% of 11-15 year olds in England had used drugs in the last year. The prevalence of drug use increased sharply with age: only 1% of 11 year olds had used drugs in the last year compared with over a quarter (28%) of 15 year olds.
- Among 11-15 year olds, cannabis was the most frequently reported illicit drug used in the last year, used by one in ten (10%). Two percent had used amphetamines, 2% poppers, 1% cocaine, fewer than 0.5% had used crack or heroin in the last year.
- 7% of 11-15 year olds in England had used drugs in the last month.
- In 1999, 12% of 11-15 year olds had used drugs in the last year, compared with 11% in 1998, although this difference is not statistically significant.
- In 1998, among those aged 16-24 years, in England and Wales, 29% had used drugs in the last year and 19% in the last month.
- Among those aged 16-24 years, 27% had used cannabis in the last year, 10% amphetamines, 5% ecstasy, 5% poppers, 3% cocaine and fewer than 0.5% crack or heroin.
- The proportion among those aged 16-24 who had used drugs in the last year was at the same level in 1994, 1996 and 1998 (29%). Between 1994 and 1998 the only drug to show a significant increase in misuse was cocaine; this increased from 1% in 1994 to 3% in 1998 for use in the last year.
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