1 in a 100 Londoners 15-44 yrs uses crack

Researchers from Imperial College and Bristol University in a study just published and funded by the Home Office Research and Statistics Directorate, (RDS) took data from drug rehabilitation centres, hospitals and police arrests and were able to identify 4,117 crack users in London. By applying standard statistical techniques to this data (ie like the ones used to study civilian deaths in Iraq) the estimated number of abusers aged 15-44 year olds for the London boroughs studied totalled 16,855. Applied across all 12 boroughs in London, they estimated there are NOW almost 46,000 active crack users in London. (Crack rock Avg price =£10 a rock)

Dr Matthew Hickman from Imperial College London says that almost 60 percent cocaine users were also abusing opiates , mainly heroin, which has implications on the treatment methods employed in this group.

This represent 1.3% of the population. The study also suggested that crack cocaine use was more than three times higher in men, at 2.4 percent, compared with 0.7 percent in women. The levels of criminality associated with drugs can best be highlighted by ….

RDS commissioned a survey of those arrested in 5 areas (Bennett, 1998). Key results are that 61% had taken at least one illegal drug: 46% were tested positive for cannabis: 18% for opiates/heroin and 10% for cocaine/crack. Nearly half the arrestees across all five areas said their drug use was connected with their offending.

…and nothing has changed …

A Prisons Inspectorate survey (Jan 2005) found two thirds of the female inmates used drugs, 25% reported multiple drug misuse and 40% reported heavy use or addiction. Of this group, over half used heroin with one in five admitting to intravenous drug use. More than a quarter had used cocaine and / or crack. Nearly 20% used amphetamines with one in ten of these women reporting she had injected.. One in four of the women with drug dependency admitted that they were still taking drugs in prison and would continue to do so when released.

..... as a result of these experiences and the spate of suicides in Styal Prison…

“On arrival in custody, approximately 60-70% of all women require clinical detoxification. Women can be using up to nine different types of substances simultaneously and frequently require concurrent detoxification for opiates, alcohol and benzodiazepines (anti-anxiety drugs).” Women’s Team’s 2004-5 business plan,

…a policy of initial de-toxification is being rolled out in women’s prisons.

Speaking to the Prison Reform Trust last week the Home Secretary said 17% of the 77,000 prisoners in the England and Wales (not Scotland and NI and at 145 per 100K population the highest in Europe) are in for drug related offences … you have to be optimistic to think the situation will improve.