New survey shows drug use has fallen dramatically

Merton Council is able to report that drug misuse among 14 and 15 year olds in the borough has been dramatically slashed by 50 per cent.

According to a survey carried out by the National Addiction Centre and Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth Health Authority in 2001 Class A drug misuse has been halved and Class B drug misuse has fallen by almost a quarter when compared to a similar survey undertaken by Crime Concern in 1997.

Both surveys were carried out among young people in Merton. In 1997, 30 per cent of 14 to 15 year olds said they had used cannabis, 14 per cent said they had used solvents, eight per cent said they had used cocaine, seven per cent said they had used ecstasy and seven per cent said they tried amphetamines.

The 2001 survey of 14 and 15 year olds showed that cannabis use had fallen to between 17.3 per cent and 26.3 per cent in Merton while 4.4 per cent said they had used cocaine and 3 per cent said they had used ecstasy.

Roger Paine, Chief Executive of Merton Council and the Chair of the Merton Drug Action Team, said: ? This shows the value of trusting and investing in our young people. Working in partnership through the Merton DAT has meant that we can mobilise the resources of all local partners, schools, parents and young people to make Merton a safe, green and healthy place.?

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