Clubbing resorts in drugs claim

More Britons are trying drugs for the first time in holiday hotspots such as Ibiza and Ayia Napa, a study showed yesterday.

Drug use increases with each trip to a foreign clubbing mecca, researchers found.

Only 27 per cent of first-time visitors to Ibiza admitted taking cocaine but the number rose to 50 per cent among those back for their fourth holiday.

Ecstasy use also increased, from 36 per cent among first-timers to 64 per cent by the fourth visit. Prof Mark Bellis, who led the Liverpool John Moores University study, said action was needed to stop non-users being tempted and existing users moving on to more dangerous substances.

He added: 'Once abroad, the sense of freedom and atmosphere of excess and experimentation means some people who have never used drugs experiment with ecstasy, cocaine and even new drugs, such as GHB and ketamine.

'Those who are already users go on drug binges or experiment with different drugs and drug combinations.'

He questioned 850 holidaymakers aged 16 to 35 as they waited for return flights to Britain from Ibiza in 1999. The research was repeated last year.

The proportion taking ecstasy on the Spanish island rose from 35 per cent in 1999 to 43 per cent last year. Cocaine use was up from 15 to 25 per cent.

About 250,000 young Britons visit Ibiza each year. The study follows a summer of alcohol-fuelled scandals involving young British holidaymakers.