Decrease in self-reported drug use

Self-reported drug use in Scotland is decreasing, according to the findings from the Scottish Crime and Justice Survey 2012-13: Drug Use, published today by Scotland’s Chief Statistician.

The survey looks at trends in adult self-reported illegal drug use as well as the experiences of those who reported drug use in Scotland – during the last month, last year and ever. It found that:

• Drug use decreased between 2008-09 and 2012-13, with 6.2 per cent of adults reporting having used any drug during the last year in 2012-13, compared with 6.6 per cent in 2010-11, 7.2 per cent in 2009-10 and 7.6 per cent in 2008-09
• Reported use of Class A and Class B drugs in the last year has fallen by 0.8 and 1.1 percentage points respectively between 2008-09 and 2012-13
• Adults reporting the use of cannabis has decreased from 6.2 per cent in 2008-09 to 5.1 per cent in 2012-13, while for cocaine this has decreased from 2.7 per cent to 1.7 per cent in the same time period
• Reported use of illicit drugs in the last year by 16-24 year olds has decreased from 23.5 per cent in 2008-09 to 16.4 per cent in 2012-13.

Minister for Community Safety, Roseanna Cunningham, welcomed the general improvements in today’s report but said continued concerted efforts were still required to educate people about the dangers of drugs, ensure people receive the right help they need to lead a life free of drugs as quickly as possible and to disrupt the supply of illegal drugs.

“We are dealing with a long legacy of drugs misuse in Scotland which we are seeking to address through our Drugs Strategy, the Road to Recovery, backed up by sustained record investment - £30.3 million in 2013-14.

“I therefore welcome the signs of decreasing drug misuse among the general adult population and young people aged 16 to 24 – a decrease which is evident across Class A and Class B drugs, and in the use of cannabis.

“Overall, today’s report shows that our work to improve drugs education through Know the Score, with its free telephone advice line and website, and Choices for Life - the innovative and interactive alcohol, drugs and tobacco education programme for Scottish schoolchildren – is starting to pay off, as is our work with NHS Boards and their partners to get more people into treatment more quickly than ever before. Indeed – separate figures published today by ISD Scotland show that more than 96 per cent of people are now waiting three weeks or less for access to drug and alcohol treatment.

“Clearly, however there is more work still to be done to be done to further reduce drug misuse in Scotland, particularly to address the supply of illegal drugs given the reported ease of access to these substances highlighted in the report. With the creation of Police Scotland, supported by our Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the new facilities at the Scottish Crime Campus at Gartcosh, we are now better placed than ever to do this. Indeed, the new crime campus will enable agencies to come together to gather and share intelligence on the drugs trade and plan the necessary operational activity to crack down on the Mr Bigs and dealers, and make our communities safer.”