Crude rate per 1,000 population of problem drug users (crack and opiates) for all persons between the ages of 15-64.
Drug misuse causes a number of social ills. It damages the health and ruins the lives of individuals; it undermines family life; it turns law-abiding citizens into thieves, including their own family and friends. The costs to society are enormous. Tackling drug misuse is both a challenge worldwide and at a local community level. It is a complex problem and requires integrated solutions and co-ordinated delivery of services involving education, health and social care, intelligence and enforcement and economic policy. Reducing the harms caused by illegal drugs is one of the Government’s top priorities and this indicator was chosen as the best available estimate of drug use prevalence in an area.
Legacy unique identifier: P01099