Request
I’d like some information on the following:
The number of patients treated as a result of taking New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) in each year from 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015.
The number of those treated who were teenagers: broken down year by year.
A breakdown of ages of the teenagers treated: eg six were 13, eight were 14 etc.
The drug or description of the type of drug that each teenager has taken across the years above.
Response
Coding of attendances at the hospital is not specific to NPS. Also, patients can present with a variety of substances that may include NPS. However, the Alcohol and Drug Service does collect figures specific to your request. Please see the chart below:
Year | Number of patients referred for NPS | Number of teenagers broken down by year | Breakdown of ages | Drug or description |
2010 | 6 | <5 | 17 and 18 years | Mephedrone and unknown |
2011 | <5 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
2012 | 7 | <5 | 17 years | Benzo Fury |
2013 | 7 | <5 | 15 and 16 years | Cannabinoids |
2014 | 57 | 14 | 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 years | 2 unknown, 12 Cannabinoids |
2015 | 15 | 5 | 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 years | Cannabinoids, 2 synthetic cannabis |
Further information:
Earliest first consumption was aged 12, latest was 57. Most common age of first consumption was 16 years.
Approximately one-quarter (27%) of takers consumed their first NPS by age 16; 43%,
50% and 57% of ever takers had consumed their first NPS before the ages of 18, 19 and 20, respectively.
Nearly half of all NPS users reported using cannabis, 18% used cocaine, 19% used ecstasy, and 16% used mephedrone. 18% of NPS users reported also using prescribed medication.
40% of the NPS users said they sourced their NPS drugs from someone they knew and 35
% from a shop. 23% reported obtaining NPS via the internet. Please see the following document that is currently in the public domain:
The nature, extent, impact and response to illicit drug use in Jersey report
This report has been undertaken to provide an up to date analysis on the nature, extent and problems of illicit drug use in order to develop an effective five year drug strategy, using best practice guidance.
Some of the report findings confirm what we already know, eg that the drug problem within Jersey is being contributed to in part through the misuse of over the counter medication and the over prescribing of certain drugs.
The review has also identified the increasing impact of the new psychoactive substances (so called legal highs) that are now being used within Jersey.
