10th January 2024
| The OHID released figures on the 25th January detailing the tragic number of under 18 year olds being treated across England for substance dependency between 2022 and 2023. There has been a 10% rise in comparison with last year, with cannabis being the most common substance by far affecting 10,837 of the 12,418 young people (under the age of 18) receiving treatment from alcohol and drug services, followed by alcohol at 44%. There was a marked increase in ketamine dependency rising from 512 (4.5%) in 2021 to 2022 to 719 (5.8%) this year, 7% had problems with ecstasy and 9% reported powder cocaine problems. Almost two-thirds were male (62%), a similar proportion to the previous year. The median age was nearly 16 years old for girls and for boys. Nearly half (48%) of young people starting treatment said they had a mental health treatment need. This has risen each year since 2018 to 2019, when 32% had a mental health treatment need. A higher proportion of girls reported a mental health treatment need than boys (65% compared to 39%). The most common vulnerability reported by young people starting treatment was early onset of substance use (79%), which means the young person started using substances before the age of 15. This was followed by young people using multiple substances (polydrug use, affecting 56% of young people). Proportionally, girls tended to report more vulnerabilities than boys, particularly self-harming behaviour (51% compared with 17%) and sexual exploitation (11% compared with 1.5%). Helena Conibear, CEO of The Alcohol Education Trust commented, ‘Once again the tragic effect of drugs and alcohol are reflected in the over 12,000 young people seeking treatment for substance dependency this year – cannabis affecting over 10,000 as the primary dependency (87%) followed by alcohol (44%). The greatest vulnerability is the age young people start experimenting with substances, hence the crucial work of charities such as ourselves in early intervention and prevention in schools and other youth settings – supporting young people with the knowledge, resilience and skills to make safer choices. Alcohol treatment needs for under 18’s has fallen from a high of 68% in 2009 to 44% this year, which is very encouraging, but any dependent young person is one too many and we have much work to do.’ There were 550 young people receiving treatment for drug and alcohol problems in secure settings in 2022 to 2023, cannabis was the most common problem substance for young people in secure settings, with 93% saying they had a cannabis problem. This proportion has remained at similar levels since 2015 to 2016. Alcohol and drug treatment in secure settings 2022 to 2023: report – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) |
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| Figure 2 shows the substance that young people in treatment report having problems with, and the numbers of each. The vast majority of young people in treatment (87% of all in treatment) said they have a cannabis problem. |
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| The Alcohol Education Trust work with schools and youth organisations across the UK to help keep 11-25 year olds safe around alcohol and other substances. Learn more about us via talkabouttrust.org. Helena Conibear, CEO can be contacted via 07876 593345 |