DRUG USE WIDESPREAD AMONG BRITISH YOUTH; REPORT

LONDON, Jan 28 - Drug use among young Britons has soared over the last two
decades but those who dabble restrict themselves largely to soft drugs.

"The vast majority of drug use will relate to cannabis," the Office
for National Statistics said in a new report which paints a
comprehensive picture of Britain on the verge of the new millennium.

"Most people who have tried drugs do just that -- try them and
stop."

Over a third of 16 to 19 year-olds and about 40 percent of those in
the 20- 24 age bracket have smoked a joint. But only about 10 percent
of older teenagers and 20 percent of people in their early 20s will
have taken amphetamines or LSD.

Narcotics recognise no class, age or gender boundaries although the
drug of choice varies from group to group and the younger and richer
are more likely to have experimented.

But latest figures suggest some slowing in the numbers of young drug
users. Less than 20 percent of 20 to 24 year-olds have taken drugs in
the last month and use in that age group has held pretty steady over
the last few years.

"This relative stability represents a falling out of fashion for some
drugs," the ONS said, pointing to the fall from fashion of ecstasy,
formerly the night clubber's favourite, and aggressive marketing of
alcoholic drinks to the young.

The professional classes tend to restrict themselves to recreational
use. Experimental drugs such as hallucinants are affordable and
attractive to them and are widely used.

But soul-sapping drugs such as heroin and crack are still
overwhelmingly restricted to deprived areas -- the inner cities in
particular. Around 40 percent of people in London, Liverpool,
Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Belfast have taken drugs.

"Contrary to some preconceptions, professional and skilled workers are
more likely than poorer, unskilled workers to have taken drugs at some
point," the report said.

"But among regular drug users, those with a higher frequency for use
and those resorting to more dangerous methods of administration (such
as injection) will tend to be unskilled."

Illegal or not, no one should doubt that drugs are big business. The
ONS estimated that the trade could add up to 8.5 billion pounds (USD $14
billion), or 1.1 percent, to Britain's national income.

($1.6054 Pound)