THE number of young people using Drug Concern’s services rose last year.

The charity released its annual report yesterday, which showed a rise in under-21s getting in touch. In 2008, 13% of its 298 clients were in that age bracket but last year it was 22% of 300.

The number of service users aged 21-30 went up by by 1% while that for people aged 30 and over dropped by 8%.

‘One explanation for the drop in the over-30 age group could suggest a decline in drug-using behaviour, or that behaviour has changed significantly so that it no longer presents a problem,’ said manager Tracey Rear (pictured).

‘The rise in under-21s accessing the service may be linked to the acute rise in use of emerging drugs of concern.’

These drugs are the so-called legal highs. Last year, 17% of clients visited Drug Concern because of them compared with 2% for cocaine and Ecstasy and 9% for cannabis.

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