As a prelude to our data feature on how Britain has changed under Labour, this graph shows the shifting price of some illegal drugs during the decade after Labour came to power. While the price of skunk cannabis has increased slightly over time, most illegal drugs have become cheaper, with cocaine in particular increasing in popularity while declining in price. UN studies suggest that Britain has the greatest number of Class A drug users in Europe, while recent concerns over new drugs like mephedrone—banned since mid April—have fuelled fears of an increased willingness to mix and experiment with new products, possibly in response to a decrease in the purity of more established illegal drug supplies. Cannabis remains the most commonly used illegal drug, followed by cocaine.
