The number of teenagers receiving help for drug and alcohol problems has levelled after rising steadily for the past few years. The number of under-18s in specialist substance misuse services in England during 2009-10 was 23,528.
This is a reduction of 525 compared to 2008-09, and indicates that demand is stabilising following the sharp rise in the number of young people coming into substance misuse services between 2005 and 2008.
The evidence continues to show, overall, that drug and alcohol use among young people is falling, however, the increased availability of services in recent years ensures young people who need help are getting it.