Stats and data about drug and alcohol from the UK. This month including local prioritisation of alcohol and drugs, the contribution that illegal drugs make to the UK economy, the use of custody for drug offences, and the potential years of life lost as a result of drug disorders.

1. Stuff I’ve
learnt this
month
June 2014
Andrew Brown
Director of Policy, Influence and Engagement
DrugScope
@andrewbrown365

2. TwoinFiveThe number of
Health and
Wellbeing
Boards
prioritising
alcohol and
substance use
Source: LGA http://www.local.gov.uk/health-and-wellbeing-boards/-/journal_content/56/10180/6111055/ARTICLE

3. The number of YouTube
videos removed in 2013/14 by
the Medicines and
Healthcare Products
Regulatory Agency for
illegally selling medicines
18,671
Source: MHRA http://www.mhra.gov.uk/NewsCentre/Pressreleases/CON418476

4. Source: EMCDDA, European Drug Report 2014

5. Source: EMCDDA, European Drug Report 2014

6. 0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 3,500
Heroin
Powder cocaine
Crack
Ecstasy
Amphetamines
Cannabis
Annual Estimated Sales of Illegal Drugs in the UK
£ million
Source: National Accounts Articles - Impact of ESA95 Changes on Current Price GDP Estimates, ONS (May 2014)
Total = £7.3 bn

7. “Importing a
kilogram of
high-quality
cocaine may cost
around £45,000,
while a kilogram
of benzocaine
can be bought
for £300. It is
common for
cocaine to be
mixed at an
initial 1:1 ratio
with benzocaine,
allowing the
resulting
product to be
potentially sold
for £90,000.”
Photographer: Dulue Mbachu, on behalf of the International Relations and Security Network
Source: Home Office Fact sheet: Powers to seize, detain and destroy drug cutting agents
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/317889/Factsheet_Cutting_agents.pdf

8. The estimated prevalence of adults living in
private households in England having at least
one psychiatric condition
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
16-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+
'Psychiatric conditions' include the most common mental disorders (namely anxiety and depressive
disorders) as well as: psychotic disorder; antisocial and borderline personality disorders; eating disorder;
posttraumatic stress disorder; attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; alcohol and drug dependency; and
problem behaviours such as problem gambling and suicide attempts.
Source: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2014-06-10a.198856.h

9. Persons convicted and sentenced to
immediate custody for drug offences at
all courts, England and Wales, 2012
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
35,000
40,000
45,000
Having possession of a controlled drug
with intent to supply
Possession of a controlled drug
Total convicted Total immediate custody
Source: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2014-01-06c.179318.h

10. Custodial sentences for
drugs offences 2012
Possession with Intent to Supply
Less than 6
months
5%
6 months
to less than
4 years
77%
4 years
6%
Over 4
years
12%
n = 3,344
Possession
Less than 6
months
89%
6 months
to less than
4 years
10%
Over 4
years
1%
n = 1,161
Source: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2014-01-06c.179318.h

11. Proportion of offenders who became chronic
offenders* when debut offence was a drugs
offence, by age and gender (2001 cohort)
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
10–17 years 18–24 years 25+ years Men Women
%
n = 22,874
* Chronic offenders are defined as committing 15 or more re-offences nine
years after debut offence
Source: The Start of a Criminal Career: Does the Type of Debut Offence Predict Future Offending? Home Office (2013)

12. Potential years of life lost per 100,000
population among people aged 0-59
years as a result of drug use disorders
0
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
3,500
4,000
4,500
5,000
Male Female
Source: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2014-06-16b.200154.h