UK - Britain tops European drug league as substance abuse deaths soar

The country has the most young people taking cocaine and amphetamine and double the average number who are using ecstasy. Drug deaths are three times the average in the EU, having risen to 49 out of every 1million people in 2006 to 59 out of every 1million in 2009, new figures show. And there are now more British-based internet ‘headshops’ selling synthetic versions of drugs such as ketamine, ecstasy and cocaine than any other country in the world. The figures, from the EU’s drug agency, paint a damning picture of a country grappling with worrying levels of drug abuse.

Click to expand...

Former government drugs adviser Prof David Nutt said it was clear people were looking for ‘safer alternatives’ to Class A drugs, but he added: ‘We need proper research into these drugs. The old banning approach isn’t working.’

Click to expand...

synthetic versions of drugs such as ketamine, ecstasy and cocaine

Click to expand...

Former government drugs adviser Prof David Nutt said it was clear people were looking for ‘safer alternatives’ to Class A drugs

Click to expand...

skillet said:

Uh, are you sure it's not simply that they're legal!?

Click to expand...