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15/03/2012
Drug Survey Reveals Attitudes To Substances
A survey jointly commissioned by the Guardian and Mixmag has shown a fifth of young drug users admit to taking “mystery white powders”, often without any idea of what they contain.
15,500 people in both the UK and US completed the survey revealing that more respondent admitted using cannabis ahead of both tobacco or energy drinks, and those who defined themselves as clubbers used more ecstasy than smoked cigarettes.
This is one of the largest surveys ever carried out and has caused alarm among health experts who pointed out that drugs users who think they know what they are taking could be taking something else entirely.
John Ramsey, toxicologist at St George's medical school in London, said: "It is amazing that so many people take mystery white powders. The truth is nobody knows what the risks are and it is patently dangerous to take untested drugs."
15% of the respondents admitted taking an unknown white powder in the last 12 months, with a third admitting they got the powder from someone they didn’t trust.
The survey also found that younger drug users were much more likely to take risks with unknown substances. Respondents who spoke to the Guardian were confident that they could balance drug taking with their careers and relationships, and regarded the side effects of drug use as often no worse than a hangover.
David Nutt, the former government drugs adviser sacked for suggesting LSD and ecstasy were less dangerous than alcohol, said he was not surprised by the survey findings about the extent of drinking and the concerns people had about it. "That's what I expected. People understand. The message is out there and people know alcohol is the biggest problem. It confirms what the evidence has been saying."
(H)
15,500 people in both the UK and US completed the survey revealing that more respondent admitted using cannabis ahead of both tobacco or energy drinks, and those who defined themselves as clubbers used more ecstasy than smoked cigarettes.
This is one of the largest surveys ever carried out and has caused alarm among health experts who pointed out that drugs users who think they know what they are taking could be taking something else entirely.
John Ramsey, toxicologist at St George's medical school in London, said: "It is amazing that so many people take mystery white powders. The truth is nobody knows what the risks are and it is patently dangerous to take untested drugs."
15% of the respondents admitted taking an unknown white powder in the last 12 months, with a third admitting they got the powder from someone they didn’t trust.
The survey also found that younger drug users were much more likely to take risks with unknown substances. Respondents who spoke to the Guardian were confident that they could balance drug taking with their careers and relationships, and regarded the side effects of drug use as often no worse than a hangover.
David Nutt, the former government drugs adviser sacked for suggesting LSD and ecstasy were less dangerous than alcohol, said he was not surprised by the survey findings about the extent of drinking and the concerns people had about it. "That's what I expected. People understand. The message is out there and people know alcohol is the biggest problem. It confirms what the evidence has been saying."
(H)
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04 December 2003
Ecstasy in decline but drug use is 'stable'
Class A drug use overall has remained the same but ecstasy use has fallen by a fifth, according to Home Office figures published today. Figures for 2002/03 show that class A drug use among young people has been "broadly stable" since 1996 with recent falls in some individual drugs, such as ecstasy which has fallen for the first time.
Ecstasy in decline but drug use is 'stable'
Class A drug use overall has remained the same but ecstasy use has fallen by a fifth, according to Home Office figures published today. Figures for 2002/03 show that class A drug use among young people has been "broadly stable" since 1996 with recent falls in some individual drugs, such as ecstasy which has fallen for the first time.
25 September 2015
Further Six Arrested In No Deal Operation In Birmingham
A further six people have been arrested as part of an ongoing operation targeting suspected drug dealers in Birmingham. Police carried out a series of dawn raids on Thursday 24 September, arresting a 17-year-old man, two 19-year-olds and three men aged 21, 26 and 47.
Further Six Arrested In No Deal Operation In Birmingham
A further six people have been arrested as part of an ongoing operation targeting suspected drug dealers in Birmingham. Police carried out a series of dawn raids on Thursday 24 September, arresting a 17-year-old man, two 19-year-olds and three men aged 21, 26 and 47.
17 October 2003
54 arrested in swoop on suspected drug dealers
Sellers of the Big Issue were among 54 people arrested by Merseyside Police today in a crackdown on drug dealing in Liverpool city centre. Operation Manton targeted suspected drug dealers and drug users and 50 men and four women were arrested following a 15-month long investigation by Merseyside Police into drug dealing on the city's streets.
54 arrested in swoop on suspected drug dealers
Sellers of the Big Issue were among 54 people arrested by Merseyside Police today in a crackdown on drug dealing in Liverpool city centre. Operation Manton targeted suspected drug dealers and drug users and 50 men and four women were arrested following a 15-month long investigation by Merseyside Police into drug dealing on the city's streets.
23 July 2008
Drug Abuse Accounts For 'A Third Of Death', Says Report
Drug abuse accounts for a third of the deaths behind Scotland's higher mortality rate, according to a study published on bmj.com. Death rates in Scotland are higher than in England and Wales and the difference between the nations is increasing. Traditionally this has been blamed on the higher levels of deprivation in Scotland.
Drug Abuse Accounts For 'A Third Of Death', Says Report
Drug abuse accounts for a third of the deaths behind Scotland's higher mortality rate, according to a study published on bmj.com. Death rates in Scotland are higher than in England and Wales and the difference between the nations is increasing. Traditionally this has been blamed on the higher levels of deprivation in Scotland.
21 May 2015
Lancaster Uni Students Hospitalised After Taking 'Spice' Drug
Five students at Lancaster University are in hospital after taking Spice, a synthetic cannabis substitute. Two of the students are said to be in a critical condition. According to SCAN, Lancaster University's student paper, ambulances were called to student halls between 6pm and 7pm on Wednesday, 20 May.
Lancaster Uni Students Hospitalised After Taking 'Spice' Drug
Five students at Lancaster University are in hospital after taking Spice, a synthetic cannabis substitute. Two of the students are said to be in a critical condition. According to SCAN, Lancaster University's student paper, ambulances were called to student halls between 6pm and 7pm on Wednesday, 20 May.
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