Vol 3/9
November
1998

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Young People and Drugs

A new report, "The Chemical Generation: Understanding Young People and Drug Use", has been published jointly by the Diocesan Board for Church in Society and the National Council for Social Concern in October.

Paul Buxton, Executive Officer, Board for Church in Society, the Report's main author and editor, said "With growing evidence of a heroin epidemic affecting the UK and drug-related crime again on the increase, it is time to take a long, hard look at our national drugs policy and consider all of the alternatives".

Aimed at parents and educators, the report gives information about what drugs young people use and why they use them, the risks and effects. It includes a candid interview with a drug user and with a drug advice worker. Several people interviewed have taken a critical look at Government policy and some advocate a radical re-think on drugs, including decriminalization for some or all drugs currently prohibited.

The Archdeacon of Southwark, Vice-Chair of the Board, quoting from the report, said that half of the young people in this country have taken an illegal drug at some time in their lives.

"This means that all of us need to be informed - to know the facts about drugs. Yet most of us do not - Christians included. The Board for Church in Society, which has representatives from every deanery, voted unanimously to publish this report in order to help the debate. It airs at least three different views on the decriminalisation issue, but the Board does not take a position on this.

"Our intention is to stimulate informed discussion in the parishes and deaneries."

The Chemical Generation: is available at £6.99 (+ £1.50 P&P) from BCS Publications, Trinity House, 4 Chapel Court. London SE1 1HW. A pack (including a copy of the report) is being prepared for parish and deanery groups to help them in studying the issue.

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