Prevalence Of Drug Use Among Youth In The Netherlands, 2011

"Since 1988, substance use is monitored every four years among pupils of primary education (7th and 8th grade) and all grades of ‘mainstream’ secondary education. The most recent survey was conducted in 2011. Among pupils from primary education, questions on illegal drug use were restricted to cannabis. Methodological details have been described in the 2012 National Report and in ST.
"The results showed that primary-school children (7th and 8th grade) had little experience of cannabis. In 2011 only 0.3% of them had ever smoked a joint.
"• Table 2.3.1 shows the trends in lifetime prevalence and table 2.3.2 the last month prevalence of drug use rates among pupils of secondary education of 12-18 years (see also ST02).
"• The percentage of last month cannabis users declined gradually between 1996 and 2003, and remained stable in 2007 and 2011.
"• Both lifetime and last month use was higher among boys than girls (lifetime 20.7% and 13.9%, respectively; last month: 10.5% and 4.8%, respectively). No differences were found between the various school levels.
"• Overall, prevalence rates of the other drugs peaked in 1996, decreased afterwards and remained stable between 2007 and 2011. Lifetime use of ecstasy remained highest and use of heroin remained lowest over all years (2.6% and 0.6%, respectively in 2011)."