Increase in young people seeking drug abuse treatment

The figures relating to 2007/8 show that the number of young people under the age of 30 seeking help for drug abuse is now at a record level.

The main drugs used by under-18s seen by drugs counsellors were alcohol and cannabis. Among 19- to 24-year-olds heroin and other opiates were the most common drug taken.

Class A drug use is still rare among teenagers, with just three per cent of under-18s being treated for heroin and opiate abuse. The same proportion were treated for cocaine abuse and less than one per cent had a problem with crack.

Tom Aldridge, NTA young persons manager, said that part of the reason for the increase is that drug services have become more readily available and there has been an increase in funding over the last two years. Reporting procedures also improved between the figures from 2007/8 and 2006/7.

"But what is clear is that there is a more of a focus on cannabis, alcohol and cocaine powder use and it's a very small minority that are using crack cocaine and opiates," he added.