The Home Office have published their annual report on crime in England and Wales, which includes the British Crime Survey figures and police recorded crime.
On drugs they say:
Among 16 to 24 year olds there was a decrease in the use of any illicit drug in the last year, from 24.1% to 21.3%.
This they say is the lowest level since the first BCS results in 1995. They also say that Class A drug use amongst that age group is at its lowest level since 1995.
However, while self-reported use is down the police have been busier than last year:
The number of cannabis possession offences rose by 21%, largely associated with the increased police use of powers to issue cannabis warnings, an example of changes in police activity affecting trends.
Filed under: british crime survey, cannabis, illegal drugs, Crime in England and Wales 2007/2008
How wonderful, yet how strange when one looks at the metropolitan police statistics for recorded crime for 2005/6 and 2006/7.
Violence against the person: 2005/6 50,363.
2006/7 54,995.
Robbery 2005/6 5,920.
2006/7 6,559.
Drug offences 2005/6 39,722
2006/7 50,023.
There may be towns and cities where drug use and crime has fallen, but here in London it is out of control and still rising.