More Than 100 Brighton And Hove Teens Treated For Cannabis Addiction

More than 100 teenagers in Brighton and Hove received treatment for cannabis addiction over the past year, according to National Drug Monitoring figures.

Overall, 135 under-18s in the city accessed rehab in 2024-25, up from 115 the previous year.

Most were treated in the community, with referrals coming from families, schools, social services, the NHS and police.

Of those in treatment, 70 were under 15, including 10 under 14.

Substances included cannabis (110), alcohol (75), ecstasy (30), ketamine (25), nicotine (25), opiates like heroin (20), benzodiazepines (15), cocaine (10) and solvents (5).

Labour councillor Emma Daniel said:

“It is terrible for any young person to need support for addiction, but it is reassuring that our services are accessible and trusted.

"Our priority is to make sure all children get the right help at the right time.”

Brighton and Hove ranks 36th out of 150 councils for teenage addiction treatment, while neighbouring East Sussex has 265 under-18s in rehab, West Sussex 80, and Bristol 110.

Experts warn rising online access to drugs and new trends like ketamine use are driving demand.

The Local Government Association has called on the government to increase public health funding to help councils provide more specialist support.

For confidential advice on drugs and alcohol for under-18s in Brighton and Hove, the council runs the Ru-ok? service.