The latest NHS Digital ‘Smoking, Drinking and Drug Use among Young People in England’ survey, which as a drugs education charity we reference frequently in our provision, was published today.
Fiona Spargo-Mabbs, director and founder of the drugs education charity the DSM Foundation, comments: “It’s so encouraging to see the numbers of 11-15 year olds in England who have taken drugs falling so significantly, after a steep upward trend from 2014 for the next few years. It would be great to think this was down to more of them getting the drug education they need, but we know that the factors at work in decisions about drugs are very complex, and our work as a drug education charity is far from done.
“This data tells us that 44 per cent of 15 year olds had been offered drugs, and around one in four had said yes at least once, and we can see other trends of concern, such as the increased use of ketamine and magic mushrooms. It’s vital that every young person knows how to handle decisions about drugs safely when they come around for them.
“Effective, evidence-based drug education remains essential.”
