A recent report published by Exeter University has suggested that drug use in teenagers has started to decline for the first time in 12 years. The report's figures were collected using a questionnaire sent out to 40 299 pupils, aged 9 to 15 years, across England. This questionnaire is part of a continuing study into the health of primary and secondary school children in the United Kingdom, which has been running since 1980 but until 1987 featured no questions on knowledge, attitude, or behaviour with regard to drug use.

The health questionnaire is administered to pupils by teachers during classroom time, which means that the response rate is 100%. Over half a million pupils have completed the questionnaire since the study began. This year's report states that the percentage of young people that have tried an illegal drug peaked in 1995-6 and has stabilised, or possibly even come down, since then. Thirty nine per cent of 14-15 year olds questioned claimed that they knew where to obtain an illegal drug, with 58% of the same sample stating they were fairly sure or certain that they knew a drug dealer. Forty four per cent of the sample have been offered an illegal drug at some point in their lives, and 21% have tried an illegal drug. Twelve per cent of 14-15 year old boys and 7% of girls claimed that if cannabis was made legal, they would use it more often.

John Balding, the director of the Schools Health Education Unit, which coordinates the collection of data, said that the figures were extremely good news. Referring to high profile, drug related deaths, such as that of Leah Betts, the 18 year old who died after taking ecstasy a few years ago, Mr Balding added: "It is trendy not to take drugs. Fashions change quite quickly. You get one reported incident... and it has an effect."