Pubdate: Tue, 28 May 2002
Source: Independent  (UK)
Copyright: 2002 Independent Newspapers (UK) Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.independent.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/209
Author: Ben Russell

STREET PRICE OF DRUGS PLUNGES IN 12 YEARS

The price of illegal drugs has fallen sharply in the past 12 years, 
reinforcing fears that young people are using cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy 
instead of alcohol, government figures released yesterday indicate.

Plummeting street prices for heroin and other illegal drugs contrast with 
the rising cost of drink and cigarettes, the statistics show. They were 
produced for the Home Office by police at the National Criminal 
Intelligence Service.

The research, revealed in a series of parliamentary written answers, found 
the average price of heroin had fallen from UKP90 a gram to UKP53 since 
1990, while ecstasy had dropped from UKP18.80 a dose to UKP7. The price of 
cannabis resin fell from UKP91.80 an ounce to UKP77, while cocaine prices 
dropped from UKP87 a gram to UKP60.

David Laws, the Liberal Democrat MP who uncovered the figures, said: "The 
fact that prices have fallen so substantially proves that people must be 
finding it easier to get drugs into the country.

"The way in which we have drawn up the classification between legal and 
illegal drugs may have helped to create an incentive for people to cross 
from legal to illegal drugs. It could force more young people towards 
drugs, particularly in the more deprived areas."

The only listed drug to have risen in price was herbal cannabis, which 
increased from UKP59.30 an ounce to UKP80.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart