The NHS Information Centre figures show 1,241 under-16s were taken to hospital for drug-related illness in 2006-07, up from 868 in 1996-97. The number of 16- to 24-year-olds receiving hospital treatment increased from 8,518 to 9,657, a rise of 13 per cent over the same period.

Medical experts claim the increase was likely to be linked to falls in the price of drugs such as cocaine, heroin and ecstasy.