Cocaine use in UK is highest in Europe

Friday, 7 November 2008 12:00 AM

UK has the highest counts of drug use across Europe, according to a European Union report.

This is the fifth consecutive year in which the UK had the highest level of drug use.

Over 11 percent of Britons age 15-24 have taken cocaine.

Amphetamine use in the UK has also been the highest in Europe for over 10 years as well, though cocaine has greater prevalence.

Claiming the report validates claims the UK is the "cocaine capital of Europe", shadow home secretary Dominic Grieve said: "It is particularly disturbing that we have the highest proportion of 15 and 16-year-olds using cocaine - the government's failure is betraying a whole generation of young people."

The report does note, however, drug use in the UK has been stabilising. Though it is still the highest in Europe, amphetamine use has declined in recent years before reaching its current plateau.

"Home Office figures published last week show overall drug use in the UK is at an all time low and the number of seizures is up 15 per cent on the last annual statistics," according to a Home Office spokesman said.

Tags:
• domestic policy
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• drugs
,
• policing and crime