Drug testing: UK a hotbed of dependence
The drug and alcohol dependence problem in the UK is as bad as anywhere else in Europe, a new study has shown.
Written by Chris Malone
Firms which ask their workers to undergo drug tests may feel vindicated after seeing the latest results from a Centre for Social Justice study.
According to the Department of Work and Pensions-funded research, the UK has a serious drug and alcohol dependency problem that is up there with anything seen in Europe.
Among the major issues faced by the UK is the prevalence of 'legal highs' - approximately 150 of which have come onto the market in the past three years.
Despite its best efforts to tackle the issue, the government has managed to ban just 15 of these in the same timeframe.
Worryingly, the number of people dying from the abuse of such substances is also on the up - 52 last year in comparison to 28 in the previous 12-month period.
Alcohol abuse was also found to be a common issue, with one in four adults in England drinking to harmful levels and one in 20 found to be alcohol dependent.
Review chairwoman Noreen Oliver explained that more needs to be done to tackle the causes of addiction.
"Alcohol is taking an increasing toll across all services in the UK and new emerging drugs are causing more harm - all the while funding to rehabilitation centres is being dramatically cut and methadone prescribing is being protected," she said.
The UK is not the only nation with an alcohol issue. New research from the University of Otago found that one in four Kiwis between the age of 21 and 30 have a drinking problem.
