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Drug users are turning to legal highs - report | Drug users are turning to legal highs - report |
(3 days later) | |
Young adults are turning to so-called legal highs as they seek alternatives to other drugs, according to experts. | Young adults are turning to so-called legal highs as they seek alternatives to other drugs, according to experts. |
The National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse report warned the drugs had emerged as an alternative to the "low quality" of other substances. | The National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse report warned the drugs had emerged as an alternative to the "low quality" of other substances. |
Over the past years, the number seeking help for cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin use all fell. | Over the past years, the number seeking help for cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin use all fell. |
But this was largely down to large reductions in the under 25 age group, as the number of over 40s actually increased. | But this was largely down to large reductions in the under 25 age group, as the number of over 40s actually increased. |
The NTA believes this reflects the fact the "Trainspotting" generation who got hooked in the 1980s are now ageing and increasingly developing problems linked to their sustained drug use. | The NTA believes this reflects the fact the "Trainspotting" generation who got hooked in the 1980s are now ageing and increasingly developing problems linked to their sustained drug use. |
Treatment | Treatment |
The findings also chime with British Crime Survey figures which show overall drugs use has been steadily falling in recent years. | The findings also chime with British Crime Survey figures which show overall drugs use has been steadily falling in recent years. |
Less than 1% of the population use the most harmful drugs - crack cocaine and heroin. | Less than 1% of the population use the most harmful drugs - crack cocaine and heroin. |
The NTA figures showed that over the past year the number of people needing treatment for cocaine fell by 15% to 7,304, for crack cocaine by 17% to 3,686 and for crack and heroin together by 16% to 21,341. | The NTA figures showed that over the past year the number of people needing treatment for cocaine fell by 15% to 7,304, for crack cocaine by 17% to 3,686 and for crack and heroin together by 16% to 21,341. |
This is almost entirely due to large falls in the under 25s seeking treatment as the over 40s have been rising in recent years. | This is almost entirely due to large falls in the under 25s seeking treatment as the over 40s have been rising in recent years. |
For example, the number of over 40s being treated for crack cocaine or heroin use has risen by a third over the last four years. | For example, the number of over 40s being treated for crack cocaine or heroin use has risen by a third over the last four years. |
The report, compiled with the help of Glasgow University, warned there was some anecdotal evidence of a move towards synthetic compounds known as legal highs, such as mephedrone, among younger age groups. | The report, compiled with the help of Glasgow University, warned there was some anecdotal evidence of a move towards synthetic compounds known as legal highs, such as mephedrone, among younger age groups. |
However, the NTA said it had yet to see many people wanting treatment for these, although it warned that could happen in time. | However, the NTA said it had yet to see many people wanting treatment for these, although it warned that could happen in time. |
Peter Kelsey, of Lifeline Redcar and Cleveland, which helps drug users, said: "People hear the word legal and they think safe. Yet it's anything but. | Peter Kelsey, of Lifeline Redcar and Cleveland, which helps drug users, said: "People hear the word legal and they think safe. Yet it's anything but. |
"We're seeing a big rise in people coming to us because of legal highs, which we think may be down to the poor quality and price of coke and the legal aspect." | |
The government has already responded to the use of so-called legal highs. | The government has already responded to the use of so-called legal highs. |
Mephedrone - also known as Meow, Bubbles and M-Cat - was banned and made a class B drug in April. | Mephedrone - also known as Meow, Bubbles and M-Cat - was banned and made a class B drug in April. |
The Home Office has also announced plans for year-long bans that could be introduced quickly if new drugs take off. | The Home Office has also announced plans for year-long bans that could be introduced quickly if new drugs take off. |
NTA chief executive Paul Hayes said the agency now had to "refocus" the treatment system in response to these trends. | NTA chief executive Paul Hayes said the agency now had to "refocus" the treatment system in response to these trends. |
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