More detailed descriptions on which drugs are included for each year can be found in Section 1 of the accompanying dataset. The majority of people aged 16 to 59 years who reported using any drug in the last year were infrequent users (70%), with almost half (49.4%) reporting they had only taken them “once or twice” (Figure 4). The proportion of people aged 16 to 24 years that were infrequent users was similar (67.6%). Prevalence of use in the last year was below one percent for all other individual drug types in the year ending March 2023, except for ketamine (3.8%) and new psychoactive substances (1.4%) in those aged 16 to 24 years. Always seek medical assistance if you have concerns or questions about your condition.
Progress towards these targets are reported in the interim monitoring reports on statutory funded residential rehab placements published by Public Health Scotland (PHS). As part of the National Mission evaluation, PHS published the first residential rehab evaluation report in February 2024. Drug Research Network Scotland published a stimulant dependence rapid review (September 2024) to examine evidence on treatments for stimulant use.
CCEA guidance – Drugs: guidance for schools in Northern Ireland – revised edition 2015
Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) treatment can be effective in reducing drug deaths and harm, as outlined in the OST Evidence Review. Non-fatal overdoses are a good indicator that someone is at risk of going on to experience a fatal overdose, so these individuals need to be a priority for follow up and additional support. Non-Fatal Overdose Pathways and outreach work are crucial to connect people to the right services. The Drug Death Taskforce stressed that harm reduction was a key element of the strategy for reducing drug related deaths. The Scottish Government published a drug law reform paper (July 2023) proposing harm reduction as a key underlying principle for future drugs policy.
A frequent user is defined as having taken any drug more than once a month in the last year. Around 280,000 young people aged 16 to 24 years were frequent drug users in the year ending March 2023 (4.7%), no statistically significant change compared with the year ending March 2020. Prevalence of ecstasy use in the last year was at its lowest level since data were first collected. Around 1.1% of people aged 16 to 59 years and 2.4% of people aged 16 to 24 years reported taking this drug in the last year.
Treatment
The Macmillan Support Line offers confidential support to people living with cancer and their loved ones. Speak to your doctor, pharmacist or to call NHS 111 if you are worried about your health. If you’re deaf and want to use the phone service, you can use the NHS 111 British Sign Language service available in your country. This system helps us quickly share alerts about harmful substances and prevent drug-related harm in the community.
- There is a lot of help available for you to do this and you won’t be alone in having questions.
- The information on this page is not a complete legal analysis of the offences and is not a substitute for legal advice.
- Implementation of MAT standards is measured in the national benchmarking report published annually by Public Health Scotland.
- If you are worried that your child or young person is feeling suicidal, or is not safe, they need urgent help.
- Safer communities, less crime, supported victims and a thriving workforce.
- A resilient and skilled workforce is a cross-cutting priority underpinning the National Mission.
This may depend on the quantity and location of the drugs as well as the steps taken to make it ready for onward supply. Any person who possesses porno restricted drugs with intent to import or export drugs is committing a criminal offence. Controlled drugs fall into three different categories, Class A, B or C, according to their danger or how harmful they are. The sentences for drug offences are different for each class of drugs. Class A drugs are the most harmful, and will lead to a greater sentence.
For queries or advice about historical, social or cultural records relating to Northern Ireland, use the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) enquiry service. We will consider your feedback to help improve the site.Don’t include any personal or financial information, for example National Insurance, credit card numbers, or phone numbers. By having the drugs in your possession you may be committing an offence, even if you have no intention of using them. If they are between ten and 17 years old and commit further offences, including selling or smuggling drugs, they could be dealt with by a Youth Court.
- You can also go back to a previous result by clicking Find Previous.
- We have made £100 million available to support residential rehabilitation from 2021 to 2026.
- The prevalence of drug use varies by household characteristics, such as household income (Figure 6).
- On this page, we’ve got tips for talking to your child about alcohol and drugs.
- Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date.
The Crime Survey for England and Wales only measures generic, rather than specific, NPS. Survey estimates in this release are based on the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW). While this is the first comparable survey data with pre-coronavirus pandemic data from the year ending March 2020, they are not National Statistics and caution must be taken when using these data. If you want any more advice or information on drugs go to Talk to Frank.