Cannabis is the '˜drug of choice'

The figures relate to the 12-month period ending March 31 2016.

In 2015/16, a total of 2,229 clients presented to services for problem drug misuse and gave their consent for their details to be included in the DMD.

Four-fifths of clients (79%) were male. Male clients tended to be younger on average than female clients. A third of male clients (35%) were aged 18-25, while 17% were aged over 40 years old.

For female clients, 29% were aged 18-25 and 32% were aged over 40 years old.

Two-fifths of those presenting for treatment (40%) took just one drug, while a fifth (23%) took two drugs. A fifth of clients (19%) took four or more drugs.

Four-fifths of all clients (82%) used at least one hypnotic drug, with 59% of all clients using a hypnotic drug as their main drug.

Almost half of all clients (46%) used at least one stimulant drug, with it being the main drug for a fifth of all clients (18%).

Over a quarter of all clients (26%) used at least one opioid analgesic drug, with 20% of all clients using one as their main drug.

Considering all drugs used by clients, the most commonly reported drug used was cannabis (used by 66% of clients) followed by benzodiazepines (37%) and cocaine (35%).

Cannabis was used by 40% of clients as their main drug of misuse in 2015/16, similar to the figure in 2014/15.

Over a quarter of those presenting for treatment (26%) had previously received treatment for their drug misuse.

The proportion of clients that had ever injected drugs during their lifetime stood at 11% in 2015/16.

Between 2005/06 and 2015/16, use of cocaine among clients rose from 25% to 35%, while use of ecstasy (26% to 10%) and heroin (13% to 10%) both fell.