Addicts coming down from highs

The number of heroin and cocaine addicts has fallen this year in England for the first time in many years according to a report published this month by the NHS.

The National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse has reported an overview of drug treatment for 2009-2010 which shows some surprising findings that indicate a significant shift in the drug culture in this country. For example, there has also been a substantial reduction in the numbers of people seeking treatment for problems with cocaine.

Although the actual number of people using illegal drugs may be small, their addiction affects many more people including their friends, family, neighbours and whole communities.

This finding is particularly encouraging as, by reducing the number of drug abusers, it is possible to reduce crime rates as many users turn to crime to cover the high costs of their addiction.

The British Crime Survey confirms this latest report as they too found overall drug use is falling with less than 1 per cent of the population using the most harmful drugs.

Interestingly, there has been a large decrease in the number of younger drug users, ie those under 35, indicating fewer young people are turning to drugs these days.

This shift implies there is a move away from drug use, confirmed by the fact the majority of users are now in the 40 plus age range.

The 2009-2010 figures clearly show a reduction in heroin users seeking treatment (although more over 40s are being treated) confirming the heroin epidemic is coming to an end.

The same is also true with a reduction in cocaine and crack cocaine use which is very encouraging.

Even more importantly, there is evidence that the treatment patients are receiving is working.

For example, 64 per cent of cocaine users who underwent treatment in 2005 did not return for further treatment suggesting they have sustained their recovery.

There are several reasons as to why drugs such as cocaine are less popular than they used to be 20 years ago, mainly as a result of international efforts to reduce their supply.

As a result of lower production levels, prices are higher and the drugs that are available are far less pure.

Not all of the report provides such positive findings. It appears drug users are converting their interests as the report shows two categories have increased in the past twelve months, namely the use of cannabis and legal highs.

As Class A drug use has fallen, the number of patients seeking treatment for cannabis addiction has risen, especially in the younger generations.

Treatment for cannabis use includes ‘talking therapies’ which are designed to help the patient appreciate the impact their addiction has on their friends and family, along with their education and employment opportunities.

Many people view cannabis as a “soft” drug yet it is potentially very dangerous causing anxiety and memory loss through to depression and schizophrenia.

The second category that has experienced an increase over the past year is the use of legal highs. So called “legal highs” are compounds that replicate the euphoric effects of illegal drugs, such as cocaine and heroin yet are not currently classified as illegal under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

The coalition Government is fully aware of the dangers of legal highs and has already taken action to ban several compounds including mephedrone, also known as meow-meow and naphyrone, known as NRG-1. Some feel that the Government has not gone far enough and that a blanket ban should now be introduced to help members of the public appreciate the dangers of such drugs.

Just because a compound is not currently classified as illegal it does not mean it is any less dangerous and can still be fatal to the user.

It is thought that legal highs are even more dangerous than illegal drugs in some ways as people perceive them to be safe which can encourage them to experiment more.

However, the overall findings are encouraging and it is hoped that this trend in the reduction in illegal drug use, and related crime, will continue which would be beneficial for all.


Doctor Waters tutors in the Division of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield