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Information and advice on drug-taking should be freely available to ensure young people are able to make informed decisions, an online youth charity has claimed.

YouthNet questioned 604 of their users aged between 16 and 25 and found that nearly two thirds of them – 63 per cent – had taken recreational drugs and 31 per cent of total respondents had done so by their 16^th birthday.

Of those who had taken drugs, more than half - 52 per cent – said it had affected relationships with friends and 45 per cent said it had affected their mental health.

Matt Whyman, an author and expert on young people's issues, said the results of the survey showed how significant numbers of young people are affected by drugs and drug-taking.

"It's essential that drug-related information and advice is freely available to young people so that, when faced with making decisions concerning their welfare, they are armed with the facts to make informed choices," he added.

The charity has its own drug information and advice website at TheSite.org and youth workers wanting to bring up the topic with their groups can find helpful advice on how to do so in the Make Space Feel module.