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The figures suggest that todays young people are abandoning the sex, drugs and rock and roll
ethos of the baby boom generation.
The rapid and sustained drop in drug abuse is a major blow to liberal reform lobbyists who have claimed
that cannabis and other substances must be decriminalised because the war on drugs is lost.
In fact, the study could be seen to suggest that the illegal status of cannabis, ecstasy, amphetamine and
cocaine is helping persuade young people to reject drugs.
Among those pressing the Government for decriminalisation have been Sir Richard Branson, Sting and
comedian Russell Brand, who have argued that laws against drugs create many unintended and negative
consequences.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has even put his name to a call for a programme of rigorously
monitored cannabis legalisation.
However yesterday opponents of drug law liberalisation said the legalisers are out of date. Kathy Gyngell,
from think-tank Centre for Policy Studies, said: It is Sting and Richard Branson who are out of line and old
fashioned.
The war on drugs is being won, thanks to ministers who have stuck to their guns. We are seeing
the eclipse of the post-Woodstock, selfish, baby boom generation.
Young people are becoming more sober in every respect. They have seen what has happened and
they know they cant behave like that.
While noting the decline of drug taking among children, the report warned that drugs still pose a risk to
vulnerable young people. It said: Young people who use drugs run the risk of damage to mental health
including suicide, depression, psychotic symptoms and disruptive behaviour disorders.