NCJ Number
240187
Date Published
July 2012
Length
47 pages
Annotation
This document provides findings from the 2011/2012 crime survey for England and Wales.
Abstract
This release examines the extent and trends in illicit drug use among a nationally representative sample of 16 to 59 year olds resident in households in England and Wales and is based on results from the 2011/12 Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW, formerly the British Crime Survey). Results indicate that among 16 to 59 year olds, 3.0 percent had used a Class A drug in the last year; the long-term trend in Class A drug use shows no statistically significant difference between 1996 (2.7 percent) and 2011/12 (3.0 percent); there was a gradual increase overall between 1996 and 2008/09 (from 2.7 percent to 3.7 percent) which has been tempered by a decrease between 2008/09 and 2009/10 (3.7 percent to 3.1 percent); as in previous years, the 2011/12 survey showed cannabis was the most commonly used type of drug in the last year (6.9 percent of adults), followed by powder cocaine (2.2 percent), cannabis use remains around the lowest level since measurement began; after a rise between 1996 (9.5 percent) and 2002/03 (10.9 percent) there was a gradual decline for several years, but levels have steadied since 2009/10 (6.6 percent); powder cocaine use has risen in the long term (0.6 percent in 1996) and in the 2011/12 survey was at a similar level to that in 2010/11 (2.1 percent). Tables