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Written question asked by Lord Brady of Altrincham (Conservative) on Tuesday, 22 April 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 24 April 2008. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Thursday, 8 May 2008 on behalf of the Home Office.

Cocaine

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of cocaine powder users were classed as regular users (a) in each year since 1996 and (b) at the latest date for which figures are available.
Answer

The British Crime Survey (BCS) only collects information about frequent drug use among young people aged 16 to 24 years. Questions on frequency of use in the last year were first asked in the 2002-03 BCS.The following table provides trend data between the 2002-03 and 2006-07 BCS for the proportion of cocaine powder users aged 16 to 24 years who reported to using cocaine frequently (more than once a month) in the previous year. The latest figures show that although there was an increase in the proportion of 16 to 24-year-old cocaine powder users who report being a frequent user between the 2002-03 and 2006-07 BCS (from 18.9 to 25.6) this was not statistically significant as these estimates are based on small samples and subject to large margins of error. Larger differences are required to detect statistically significant changes over time.

Frequent use in the last year among 16 to 24-year-old cocaine powder users, 2002-03 to 2006-07 BCS
Percentage
More than once a month Unweighted base
2002-03 18.9 123
2003-04 17.2 253
2004-05 14.2 275
2005-06 22.3 321
2006-07 25.6 302

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
201692; 475 c1095-6W
Session
2007-08
Subjects
Misuse Cocaine
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk