Our resources
Data and reports
Adults
This Drug Needs Assessment examines substance misuse among adults in Kent, highlighting patterns of drug use, associated harms, and priorities for prevention and treatment. The report identifies increasing drug use among younger adults and a growing ageing drug-using population, alongside significant links between substance misuse, mental health problems, deprivation, trauma, crime, and poor health outcomes. Cannabis remains the most commonly used drug, while cocaine use has increased in recent years. The assessment highlights higher levels of need in East Kent, particularly Thanet, Dover and Canterbury.
Recommendations include adapting services to meet the needs of an ageing drug-using population, strengthening integration between mental health and substance misuse services, improving support for children and families affected by parental substance misuse, and targeting prevention, outreach and treatment resources towards the areas of highest need, particularly Thanet, Dover and Canterbury. It also emphasises earlier intervention, stronger partnership working, and reducing inequalities by improving access to support for vulnerable and deprived communities.
Children and Young People
The Health Needs Assessment of Children and Young People's Substance Misuse in Kent supports the commissioning of substance misuse services for children and young people (CYP) aged up to 25 in Kent, using the latest national benchmarks and comparative best practice. It evaluates prevalence across key age groups, assesses service performance, and sets out recommendations for future strategy and multi-agency partnership.
While treatment numbers have declined over the past decade, many young people remain at risk, with an estimated 4,000 needing support. Cannabis and alcohol are the most commonly used substances, and concerns include early substance use, high levels of poly-drug use, self-harm, and other vulnerabilities. Kent performs well in treatment access and outcomes, but gaps remain in prevention, school referrals, and support for vulnerable groups. The report recommends stronger partnership working, early intervention, and targeted local action.
Other reports
We have produced a report on drug use and dependence from figures published in November 2025 as part of the 2023-24 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (APMS). The report shows prevalence estimates for England and applies them to the most recent Office for National Statistics (ONS) mid‑year population estimates for Kent.
In January 2026 we published a health needs assessment for Adults with multiple complex needs. It includes adults who are aged over 18 years and over and experiencing two or more disadvantaged domains of alcohol or substance misuse, mental health, homelessness, offending, and domestic violence.
Additional information can be found in our Health and Social Care Maps self-serve tool. We are constantly developing this resource in response to your feedback.
We also have available previous versions of drug needs assessments: