Office for National Statistics. (2024) Drug misuse in England and Wales. ONS website,
External website: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunit...
Drug misuse in England and Wales: year ending March 2024
An overview of the extent and trends of illicit drug use. Data are from the Crime Survey for England and Wales.
Main points:
- The Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) estimated 8.8% of people aged 16 to 59 years (around 2.9 million people) reported using any drug in the last 12 months for the year ending (YE) March 2024; there was no statistically significant change, compared with YE March 2023.
- Around 3.0% of people (approximately 1 million people) reported using a Class A drug in the last 12 months; there was no statistically significant change from the previous year.
- Cannabis use decreased to 6.8% of people (around 2.3 million people) from 7.6% (around 2.5 million people) in the previous year, returning to levels seen a decade ago.
- Use of nitrous oxide and crack cocaine decreased, compared with the previous year from 1.3% to 0.9%, and 0.1% to 0.03%, respectively; magic mushroom use increased from 0.8% to 1.1%.
- Around 1.8% of people were frequent drug users (more than once a month); this is a decrease from the previous year (2.3%).
- Drug use was higher among people aged 16 to 24 years, with 16.5% reporting any usage; there was no statistically significant change, compared with previous year.
Item Type
Article
Publication Type
International, Open Access, Article
Drug Type
Substances (not alcohol/tobacco)
Intervention Type
Screening / Assessment
Date
December 2024
Publisher
Office for National Statistics
Corporate Creators
Office for National Statistics
EndNote
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