Written question asked by Jimmy Wray (Labour) on Thursday, 30 October 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 11 November 2003. It was answered by Caroline Flint (Labour) on Tuesday, 11 November 2003 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To 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. - Including figures and ref to Home Office Research Study 253, The Road to Ruin. Sequences of Initiation into Drug Use and Offending by Young People in Britain.

Answer: Mr. Wray: To 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 Flint: There 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 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.

Secondary information