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Drug misuse declared: Findings from the 2003-04 British Crime Survey
This statistical bulletin considers the extent of illicit drug use among 16 to 59 year olds in England and Wales in 2003/04 and trends in drug use since 1996, based on data from the British Crime Survey. It particularly focuses on young people and changes since 1998, which marks the beginning of the Government's Drugs Strategy. It also looks at geographical, socio-economic and lifestyle factors associated with drug use.
Title: Drug misuse declared: Findings from the 2003-04 British Crime Survey
Authors: Natalia Chivite-Matthews, Anna Richardson, Joanne O'Shea, Jane Becker, Natalie Owen, Stephen Roe and Joanne Condon
Series: Home Office Statistical Bulletin 04/05
Number of pages: 122
Date published: May 2005
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The report shows that among younger people the use of drugs has decreased significantly and Class A drug use has remained stable since 1998. Cocaine has become an increasingly popular choice among Class A users.
For all people, between 1998 and 2003/04, the use of 'Any drug' has remained stable and Class A drug use increased significantly. This increase is mainly due to a significant increase in the use of cocaine and ecstasy and an increase in the percentage of those outside the younger group who take Class A drugs. The use of hallucinogens, particularly LSD, has decreased significantly.
Extent of drug use and trends since 1996
Trends in drug use since 1996
In the general population (16-59 years)
Between 1998 and 2003/04 the use of 'Any drug' in the year prior to interview has remained stable. There were also no significant changes between 2002/03 and 2003/04.
Class A drug use in the past year increased significantly between 1998 and 2003/04. This is mainly due to an increase in the use of cocaine and ecstasy and an increase in the proportion of people aged 25 to 59 who take Class A drugs. The use of hallucinogens, particularly LSD, has decreased significantly.
The survey shows no change in the use of most Class A drugs in the last year between analyses for 2002-03 and 2003-04, except for a slight increase in the use of cocaine and hallucinogens. The increase in hallucinogens is due to increased use of magic mushrooms; the use of LSD is stable.
Cocaine has become an increasingly popular choice for Class A users in all age groups.
Between 1996 and 2003/04, the use of amphetamines, steroids and glues has decreased steadily and significantly. There is an increase in the use of cannabis since 1996. But, most of this increase was between 1996 and 1998; since 1998 the use of cannabis has remained stable.
When 2003/04 is compared with 2002/03 there are no significant differences in the use of any non-Class A drugs in the year prior to interview.
The most common age at which respondents said they had started taking drugs is 18.
Amongst young people (16-24 years)
Between 1996 and 2003/04 the use of 'Any drug' in the past year by young people has fluctuated slightly but on the whole remained stable. This slight fluctuation in the use of drugs between 1996 and 2003/04 means that the prevalence in 2003/04 is significantly lower when compared with 1998, but not when compared with 1996.
Class A drug use among young people has remained stable since 1996.
Between 1996 and 2003/04 there has been a significant increase in the use of cocaine. There was a big increase in cocaine use between 1996 and 2000, but since then use has been stable. Since 1996 there has been a significant decrease in the use of hallucinogens, particularly LSD.
The figures for 2003/04 show little change compared with 2002/3 for past year use of most Class A drugs except for a slight significant increase on the use of hallucinogens. This is due to a significant increase in the use of magic mushrooms; the use of LSD is stable.
The use of other non-Class A drugs among young people has remained stable since 1998. The only significant changes between 1998 and 2003/04 have been gradual decreases in the use of amphetamines, cannabis and glues.
Geographical variation
Those living in London had the highest levels of any illicit drug use (14.7%), whilst those in the West Midlands region reported the lowest levels (10.5%). The figure for England & Wales as a whole was 12.3%.
Levels of any illicit drug use varied considerably by ACORN area. Those living in Rising areas (which comprises affluent urbanities in town and city areas, prosperous professional metropolitan areas and better-off executives in inner-city areas) had by far the highest levels of use (20.5%) while those living in Thriving areas (wealthy achievers in suburban areas, affluent greys in rural communities and prosperous pensioners in retirement areas) reported the lowest levels (9.7%).
Drug use was highest amongst those living in inner city areas, followed by those living in urban areas, with rural areas having the lowest prevalence.
Levels of any illicit drug use were higher amongst those living in council areas than non-council areas.
Most of the geographical categories with high levels of any illicit drug use also display high levels of Class A drug use. However, unlike the pattern for any illicit drug use, those living in non-council areas have the same levels of Class A drug use as those living in council areas.
Social and economic factors
The socio-economic factor with the greatest variation in prevalence of any illicit drug use is age. The 16 to 19 and the 20 to 24 year old age groups show levels of any illicit drug use that are more than twice that for all ages combined. A similar pattern can be seen when looking at Class A use with those aged 20 to 24 years having the highest rate, nearly three times the overall rate for England and Wales, followed by the 16 to 19 year old group.
Men are about twice as likely as women to have used any illicit drug and Class A drugs in the last year.
Single respondents also reported levels of any illicit drug use in the last year (24.7%) that were approximately double the total for England and Wales. People who are cohabiting also show a higher rate of drug use (18.4%) than other groups. Married and widowed people reported the lowest levels of use.
Any illicit drug use also varied considerably by tenure and type of accommodation. Private renters had the highest levels of drug use, almost double the rate for England and Wales as a whole, while owner occupiers had the lowest levels. People living in flats and maisonettes reported a higher prevalence compared with those living in houses.
Although any illicit drug use did not vary greatly by level of household income or social class, unemployed respondents had higher rates of drug use in the past year than employed or economically inactive people.
The same socio-economic factors associated with high levels of any illicit drug use are also associated with high levels of Class A drug use. When taking all of the factors into account, the variables with the greatest association were:
being single (excluding being a widow/er), being divorced or cohabiting
being young
visiting pubs or wine bars three times a week or more
being male
going to nightclubs
Other factors included:
renting accommodation
not being in the professional social class
living in a terrace or flat/maisonette
earning £30,000 or more
being economically inactive
having a limiting disability or illness
living in a rising ACORN area
Higher illicit and Class A drug use was found among those who drink alcohol three or more times per week.
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misuse declared: Findings from the 2003-04 British Crime Survey
Last update: 01 June 2005