Cannabis is the most commonly used illegal drug in England, with 6.4% of adults (aged 16 to 59) and 15.7% of young people (aged 16 to 24) admitting to use within the last year.
In 2012 there were a total of 1,384 recorded drug offences in Knowsley in (Merseyside Police, 2012), representing 15% of all crime in the borough. 80% of these related to the possession of cannabis.
The ACPO (2012) also reported a 65% increase in the number of cannabis cultivations detected across Merseyside between 2009/10 and 2010/11, the majority of those in Knowsley were detected in Kirkby.
The majority of possession of cannabis offences were recorded in Stockbridge, Page Moss, Northwood, Longview and Kirkby Central wards. Almost half (46.6%) of cannabis cultivations were detected in Kirkby, whilst a third (31.1%) were found in Huyton.
Supporting Documents
Needs Assessment – Cannabis Use in Knowsley 2015 – Needs Assessment on cannabis use is required to provide an understanding of the issue in Knowsley, to identify the health needs of those using the drug and establish whether the current supply of services is adequate enough to meet these needs.