News
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More young people vaping while fewer taking drugs
The number of secondary school pupils who report taking drugs has fallen from 24 per cent to 18 per cent since 2018 , according to the latest figures from NHS Digital . However , while the number of young people smoking has fallen to 3 per cent , 9 per cent now report vaping – compared to 6 per cent
Of the young people who reported taking drugs more than once , just under 20 per cent said they ’ d done so alone on the most recent occasion , up from 11 per cent in 2018 .
THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT has launched a review of the country ’ s move to legalise and regulate cannabis four years ago ( DDN , November 2018 , page 4 ). The review will evaluate the impact on young people , indigenous groups and others , as well as on criminal activity and the illegal cannabis market . The Cannabis Act also created a new criminal offence of selling the drug to minors , and toughened laws relating to drug-impaired driving .
An independent panel will advise the government on progress towards achieving the act ' s objectives , and priority in 2018 . The smoking , drinking and drug use among young people in England 2021 report is based on a survey of more than 9,000 secondary school pupils aged 11-15 across almost 120 schools .
Cannabis remains the drug that pupils were most likely to have taken , with 6 per cent saying they ’ d taken it last year – a 2 per cent
Canadian cannabis
The review will evaluate the impact [ of legalisation ] on young people , indigenous groups and others , as well as on criminal activity and the illegal cannabis market .
areas for improvement . ‘ The work of the expert panel will address the ongoing and emerging needs of Canadians while protecting their health and safety ,’ said health minister Jean-Yves Duclos . ‘ Through this useful , inclusive and evidence-driven review , we will strengthen the act so that it meets the needs of all Canadians while continuing to displace the illicit market .’ decrease from the 2018 figure .
The number who reported taking class A substances has remained consistently around 2-3 per cent since 2010 , while the number who drank alcohol has remained at 6 per cent since the 2018 survey . The rate of current e-cigarette use among 15-year-old girls had more than doubled since 2018 , however , to 21 per cent . Of the young people who reported taking drugs more than once , just under 20 per cent said they ’ d done so alone on the most recent occasion , up from 11 per cent in 2018 . Low levels of life satisfaction were reported by almost 60 per cent of the young people who had recently smoked , drank and taken drugs , compared to less than 20 per cent of those who hadn ’ t . Report at digital . nhs . uk
Betway fined
ONLINE GAMBLING COMPANY BETWAY LIMITED has been fined more than £ 400,000 for advertising on the children ’ s pages of West Ham United FC ’ s website . The operator ’ s logo was displayed on a page that allowed children to print a teddy bear to colour in , while another logo with a link to the Betway website was featured on the ‘ Young Hammers at Home ’ webpage .
' Although there is no suggestion that the operator was deliberately targeting children , or that children had been allowed to gamble , we take the breach of any rules aimed at protecting children extremely seriously ,’ said Gambling Commission director of enforcement , Leanne Oxley . ‘ We note the remedial actions since taken by the licensee but advise all operators to learn from this case and ensure that they take responsibility and have the correct processes in place so that websites directed at children do not include advertisements for gambling .’
Local News
LIMITLESS COMMITMENT Three services offered by Southampton charity No Limits have been shortlisted for the 2022 Children & Young People Now Awards , the ‘ gold standard ’ for work with children , young people and families . ‘ To be chosen from a large , national pool of charities is a true reflection of the energy , enthusiasm and commitment that our staff give to their work ,’ said CEO Natalie Webb . The winners will be announced on 24 November .
PROBATION PATHWAYS Forward has launched new services offering recovery support to more than 8,000 people on probation in Humberside and London . The Dependency and Recovery Service will help to develop understanding of substance issues among probation teams as well as address gaps in the criminal justice pathway . For more information contact sarah . cahalan @ forwardtrust . org . uk .
CANNABIS COUNT Half of Londoners support decriminalising cannabis in the capital , according to research by YouGov , compared to 33 per cent who are opposed . Support for decriminalisation was highest among 25-49-year-olds and lowest among those aged over 65 . Complete findings at yougov . co . uk
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