Essex is a non-metropolitan county that is in the East of England, which is a region of the United Kingdom. Drug abuse is prevalent throughout the world and Essex UK is no different. Any individual who abuses illicit drugs faces major health risks. Tolerance, addiction, withdrawals and possible overdose are consequences that are associated with any misuse of drugs whether the drugs are legal or not.

Data shows that in 2003-2004 around 4 million people used illicit drugs each year in the UK. The most abused drugs are cannabis (marijuana) and ecstasy. Data also shows that users of crack cocaine and heroin are spending large amounts of money on these drugs. £300 a day habit was spent on crack and heroin among those that responded to the data survey. There are reports that some of the older heroin and crack abusers go to London for their drugs and the younger people tend to buy their drugs off the street. According to police and substance abuse treatment providers, alcohol is a problem and binge drinking as well as underage drinking is also a concern.

A survey that was done in 2007 included 900 primary and 687 secondary pupils in North East Essex. This survey showed that 20 percent of the individuals drank alcohol once in a while or on a regular basis. This survey also showed that 23 percent of the pupils at one time or another had been offered illegal drugs. Five percent of the pupils reported that within that year they had taken illegal drugs.

In 2009 there were 2,182 drug related deaths that occurred. This information was provided by 105 of the 115 coroners in England and Wales. The drug related deaths ranged from 16 years of age and older. Heroin abuse is still the main illegal substance that is associated with these drug related deaths that occurred. Illegal use of drugs such as cocaine, amphetamines and ecstasy type drugs shows a decline in deaths in 2009. In 2009, GBL or GHB related deaths increased during.

Train stations In Essex continue to have drug related problems. In the past three years there were 383 drug offences at Essex railway stations. Information that was released to the Chronicle under the Freedom of Information Act shows there were 49 drug related offences just in the past year.

Essex is working hard along with their Government when it comes to drug strategies to reduce the harm that drugs cause to their society, to their communities, and families. Their aim is to protect their communities and tackle drug supplies, drug related crime and anti-social behaviors. Protecting children, young people and families that are affected by drug abuse is one of their main goals as well as continuing new drug treatment approaches.

The BBC is a news channel, they reported that between 2002 and 2006 there were 59 reports of 12 year olds being stopped and searched by police for drug offences. Children as young as twelve were found dealing cannabis (marijuana) in Cambridgeshire and Norfolk. These figures were provided by police in Essex, Norfolk, Northants, Cambs, and Suffolk.

According to the Drug and Alcohol Information and Services in Essex, in 2009 over a quarter of the population in England which is about 10 million adults, drink above the guidelines for lower risk drinking. Of these, 2.6 million adults (8 percent of men and 6 percent of women) regularly drink at higher risk levels. The Essex Drug and Alcohol Partnership designed a program called “Know Your Limits”, this campaign reminds people to “Re-think Their Drink”. This program reminds people to be conscious of their alcohol use in order to help them stay within safe guidelines and limits when consuming alcohol.

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