Wales Sees Huge Increase in Cocaine Use

Official government figures show that 581 people sought treatment for cocaine addiction from 2008-2009, in drastic comparison to the 47 people who were referred for treatment in 2001-2002, an increase of 1,135 percent. Experts fear that the real number of cocaine addicts could be about five times higher, bringing the number of addicted people to 3,000.

“You would not be far wrong if you multiplied that figure by five. You would be very surprised by the amount of people taking cocaine,” said Martin Blakebrough, chief executive of the drug charity Kaleidoscope.

Blakebrough also estimated that there could as many as 40,000 casual cocaine users in Wales, compared to 20,000 heroin addicts. Some addicts are so desperate to get high that they put their lives at risk by “speedballing”- injecting a combination of heroin and cocaine.

The number of addicts remains high despite the fact that prices of cocaine have risen 50% from £30,000 a kilo in 2007 to £45,000 today.

A UN report also revealed that the quality of cocaine has plummeted in recent years as dealers cut the drug with other ingredients to save money and extend their product. Some police seizures revealed that some hauls are just 5 percent pure cocaine.

“It’s the glamorous rock ’n’ roll drug because of the way it makes you feel, and because of the cost. It’s expensive so it’s normally used by the rich,” said Kaleidoscope outreach worker Ben Mawdsley, who has used cocaine in the past.

“You become a slave to heroin and the same happens with cocaine. It starts with a few lines, you’re Jack the lad and invincible and confident, and you think everyone loves you. But your weekends, before long, start getting longer and longer. And the next thing you’ve missed a few mortgage payments,” Mawdsley continued.

“People underestimate cocaine saying you don’t go through physical withdrawal. But physical dependence from a medical point of view is quite easy to manage. The thing that is difficult to address with cocaine is the obsession and compulsion to use,” Gwent GP and substance misuse expert Bernadette Hard said.

“You’ll have a massive period of depression (after coming down),” Hard said, adding that “life won’t push your buttons any more and you’ll feel very flat. People say when they stop using cocaine that nothing makes them happy.”

“There is a perception that cocaine is the less harmful of the Class A’s,” said South Wales Police’ Assistant Chief Constable David Morris, who sits on the Welsh Assembly Government’s drug abuse advisory panel.

“It tends to be used by people who frequent the late night economy and party environment. This perception is false. Criminals make money out of other people’s misery in trafficking cocaine. It’s harmful mentally and physically. It can be a high risk if you use it with other substances like alcohol,” he added, claiming it could lead to using other drugs like crack. “It’s illegal. It’s a crime to take it and to traffic in it.”

Cheryl Gillan, shadow secretary of state for Wales, was appalled by the increase in users. “Drugs blight the lives of young people and those around them, and destroy communities across the country,” she said.

“We need to ensure we make the right investment in drug rehabilitation so that young people who are hooked on drugs are helped to get off them and begin the process of rebuilding their lives. We must also continue to point out the dangers of drug use and take firm action to catch and convict the drug dealers who peddle misery,” she continued.

The Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) admitted that the cocaine figures were “concerning” but claimed they were not “statistically significant.”

A spokesman said: “The Assembly Government is committed to reduce the damage caused to individuals, their families and society from the misuse of all substances. Our strategy ‘Working Together to Reduce Harm’ sets out a 10-year plan for working with other organizations to achieve this. Since 2003 there has been significant investment in treatment services and the Substance Misuse Action Fund now stands at £28.6m for 2009-10.”

The spokesman added: “This represents a 168% increase on the total funding available in 2003-04 and has resulted in over 10,000 additional treatment places.” He said this will be boosted to £34.5m next year.