Drugs Strategy

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 2:06 pm on 9 November 2001.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Mark Hoban Mark Hoban Conservative, Fareham 2:06, 9 November 2001

My hon. Friend makes a valid point.

Members on both sides of the House have bandied figures about, suggesting that millions of people use cannabis. Let us not forget that only 14 per cent. of those between the ages of 16 and 29 used it in the last month. While many may use it once, perhaps to enjoy the experience of illegal behaviour, that may not be a consistent pattern. It may not appeal to all young people. Not all young people are regular cannabis users. What worries me is that decriminalisation, and the sense that the drug might be safe, will cause more young people to try a wider range of class A drugs. We do not want them to do that.