Young people want the facts about drugs

The findings are based on the personal accounts of more than 600 16- to 25-year-olds who took part in YouthNet’s online survey, High or Dry. The survey showed that 63 per cent of young people have taken recreational drugs, while 77 per cent said they need more support and guidance. One in four respondents said they have taken cocaine while 53 per cent of respondents aged between 16 and 20 had taken something other than alcohol, nicotine or caffeine.

The survey was hosted on YouthNet’s support and advice service, TheSite.org. Matt Whyman, an agony uncle on the site, said: "It’s essential that drug-related information and advice is freely available to young people so that, when faced with making decisions concerning their welfare, they are armed with the facts to make informed choices."

The emergence of new party drugs like mephedrone, also known as MCAT, were reflected in the results with more than one in 10 having tried it.