Falling cocaine price 'could create need for rehab clinics'

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Home » News » Drugs » Falling cocaine price 'could create need for rehab clinics'

by Change | 19 Feb 2009

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A report claims new smuggling routes into the UK will lead to a fall in the price of cocaine, which could increase the need for rehab clinics.

New routes which have opened into the UK will lead to a fall in the price of cocaine, which could see an increase in substance addiction, an agency suggests.

A report by the United Nation's International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) suggests methods of reaching the country through West Africa and eastern Europe will lead to a larger amount of the drug being available.

The agency suggests the changes are a result of the actions of the US and Royal Navy to prevent the substance being trafficked.

In addition, it suggests traffickers will be loading commercial flights with "large numbers" of individuals who have swallowed cocaine and describes this practice as a "shotgun" approach.

Hamid Ghodse, president of the INCB, warns prices could fall if the government does not take action to close down these new methods of smuggling.

"The route of transporting for traffickers has become relatively easier and less susceptible to interdiction," he states.

Willie MacColl, detective superintendent and Scottish Crime and Drugs Enforcement Agency national drugs coordinator, recently told the Herald more needs to be done to tackle cocaine addiction than just enforcement action.

He called for a higher level of education to be provided for young people in an effort to cut down the number engaging in drug abuse.

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