Written question asked by Paul Flynn (Labour) on Thursday, 7 May 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 14 May 1998. It was answered by Baroness Taylor of Bolton (Labour) on Thursday, 14 May 1998 on behalf of the President of the Council.

President of the Council

Question: To ask the President of the Council, how many and what percentage of those aged under 25 years she estimates have used (a) cannabis, (b) ecstasy, (c) heroin and (d) cocaine. - Inc figures and table.

Answer: Mr. Flynn: To ask the President of the Council how many and what percentage of those aged under 25 years she estimates have used (a) cannabis, (b) ecstasy, (c) heroin and (d) cocaine. [41611] Mrs. Ann Taylor: The British Crime Survey gives estimates of drug use amongst people aged 16 to 24 living in private households in England and Wales. The most recent estimates are from the 1996 survey, when 39 per cent. of people in this age group said they had used cannabis at some time. 11 per cent. had used ecstasy; 1 per cent. had used heroin; and 4 per cent. had used cocaine. The estimates of heroin, cocaine and ecstasy use should be treated with great caution, partly because they are subject to very large sampling error, and partly because a household survey such as the BCS is likely to under-represent current users. The table gives the range, together with the mid-point estimate. The estimates for cannabis use are fairly precise, while those for the other drug are not. Number of 16 to 24 year olds using named drugs (95 per cent. confidence intervals) Thousand _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Named drugs Lower estimate Higher estimate Mid-point Cannabis: ever used 2,100 2,400 2,300 Ecstasy: ever used 540 770 650 Cocaine: ever used 170 320 240 Heroin: ever used 30 110 60 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Source: 1996 BCS. Weighted data.

Secondary information