Pubdate: Fri, 05 Dec 2003
Source: Daily Telegraph (UK)
Copyright: 2003 Telegraph Group Limited
Contact:  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/114
Author: Philip Johnston
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

ECSTASY USERS MOVE TO COCAINE

Fewer young people are using the "dance drug" ecstasy but they are
switching increasingly to cocaine.

Figures yesterday showed there were 70,000 fewer ecstasy users last
year within the 16 to 24 age group compared with the previous 12
months - a drop of about a fifth.

After cannabis, it is the most widely-used drug among the young and
its prevalence has increased during the past 10 years.

Latest Home Office figures show that young people are switching to
illegal "recreational" drugs, especially amylnitrate - known as
poppers - and cocaine. There are growing numbers of cocaine users in
affluent areas.

Findings from the British Crime Survey suggest that three per cent of
those aged 16 to 59 used hard drugs in the previous 12 months.

Caroline Flint, the Home Office minister, said: "Young people are
getting the message that drugs are harmful and can, and do, kill."
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin