NCJ Number
193690
Date Published
2001
Length
116 pages
Annotation
This report presented findings from the 2000 British Crime Survey (BCS) which measured the broad extent of drug use among the general population of England and Wales.
Abstract
This 2000 British Crime Survey (BCS) report was the fourth of its kind presenting the latest statistical data estimating the prevalence of drug use among the general population of England and Wales. This survey contained a core sample representative of households in England and Wales. The report consisted of four chapters: (1) current patterns of drug use; (2) changing patterns of drug use from 1994 to 2000; (3) ethnic comparisons; and (4) tracking the progress of the anti-drugs strategy. Findings indicated that drug use was generally higher in younger people and in men compared to women. There was linkage identified between drug use and alcohol consumption. The most significant data change highlighted within the BCS reports from 1994 to 2000 was the increase in use of powder cocaine by young men. However there was no significant increase in the proportion of young people under 25 using cocaine, heroin, or Class A drugs since 1998. Irrespective of age, the lifetime prevalence of drug use was greatest among white individuals, followed by Black, Indian, and Pakistani/Bangladeshi groups. The starting point or baseline year for the anti-drug strategy, adopted by the government was 1998. The aim in the anti-drugs strategy was for reductions in the proportion of young people under 25 reporting use of illegal drugs in the previous year and last month. Given the decline in use within the last year of any drug, there may be grounds for some optimism in the success of the anti-drugs strategy come 2005 and 2008. Tables, figures, references, and Appendices A-F