Addiction to legal highs in the North West has increased by 400 per cent

But cocaine, heroine and amphetamine addiction is at a 10 year low


The number of young people (18 and under) treated for addiction to legal highs in the North West has increased fourfold from 2013/14 to 2014/15.

Only ten people were treated for addiction to legal highs in 2013/14, compared to 40 in recent years 2014/15, an increase of 400 per cent.

Ten young people were treated for misuse of heroin and other opiates in 2014/15, a huge decrease from 80 in 2005/06.

There have also been the lowest figures in 10 years for amphetamines and cocaine usage with 15 and 45 cases respectively.

Statistics taken from the MEN website

Alcohol abuse is also at its lowest for a decade with a drop from 1,810 in 2007/08 to 585 in 2014/15 in the North West.

Figures for those aged 13 and under have dropped slightly, from 57 to 53 in the last year.

Overall, the number of young people in the North West aged 18 and under receiving one treatment session a week has fallen by 5 per cent in the last year.

Statistics taken from the MEN website

Misuse of ecstasy may also be on the rise, as those being treated for addiction is at a six year high.

Across England, it seems that the use of cannabis and cocaine is stable among young people.