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ACPO response to Home Office bulletin Drug Misuse Declared: Findings from the Crime Survey for England and Wales 2011/12
The Home Office bulletin examines the extent and trends in illicit drug use based on the 2011/12 Crime Survey for England and Wales and also includes information on the characteristics of drug takers, age of onset and desistance of drug taking, frequency of use and accessibility of drugs
ACPO lead for drugs, Chief Constable Tim Hollis said:
“I welcome the Home Office report which contains a number of interesting and reassuring facts on an important social issue.
“We know that drugs are accessible to those who wish to take them but, in spite of that fact, reported illegal drug use is at the lowest since 1996 and during the last year 91% of people chose not to take drugs. Drug use by young people continues to be higher than for the population generally but 80% of our young people chose not to take drugs.
“The report clearly shows that people who use drugs obtain them predominantly from family and friends rather than from street dealers or the internet. That reinforces the importance of a strong and consistent approach to education and prevention.
“Police and other enforcement agencies will continue to focus their efforts on tackling serious and organised crime and the trafficking of illegal drugs whilst at the same time addressing drug related anti-social behaviour at local level. We continue to be very much aware of the impact of drug related crime on victims.
“Regarding longer term solutions, we recognise the importance of local partnership working to provide effective treatment and thus to reduce reoffending. Police will continue to work closely with other agencies to reduce the harm that drugs cause within our local communities.”
For more information contact
The ACPO Press Office can be contacted via 020 7084 8946/47/48 (office hours) or via 07803 903686 (out of office hours).
The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) is an independent, professionally led strategic body. In the public interest and, in equal and active partnership with Government and partner agencies, ACPO leads and co-ordinates the direction and development of the police service in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In times of national need ACPO, on behalf of all chief officers, co-ordinates the strategic policing response.
ACPO’s 311 members consist of 223 chief police officers from the home forces of assistant chief constable rank (commanders in the Metropolitan Police and City of London Police) and above, plus 60 senior police staff members from the 44 forces in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Non home forces such as British Transport Police have 25 chief police officer members and there are three members from the Service Police.