Wales sees rise in cocaine addiction

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by Change | 13 Oct 2009

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New research has found that cocaine addiction is on the increase in Wales.

More people in Wales are in need of rehabilitation services as a result of cocaine addiction, a new study has found.

According to figures published by the Welsh Assembly Government, there has been a massive 1,135 per cent increase in the number of people seeking addiction treatment for problems with cocaine between 2001 and 2009.

The North Wales Daily Post reports that there were just 47 people referred to rehab centres for cocaine addiction in 2001/02, but that had surged to 581 by 2008/09.

Martin Blakebrough, chief executive of drugs charity Kaleidoscope, told the newspaper that the number of people casually using the drug may be as many as one in 75 people in Wales, as many choose to take cocaine when on a night out at the weekend.

However, while many of those have not yet sought drug addiction treatment, there are concerns that many will become hooked in the years ahead and will eventually need to enter a rehab clinic to tackle their problems.

Last week, figures released by the National Treatment Agency revealed the number of 18 to 24-year-olds seeking drug addiction rehabilitation for the first time last year due to problems with cocaine doubled from 1,591 in 2005/6 to 2,998.

The Daily Telegraph reported that it appears to be increasingly normal for young people to take cocaine when on a night out.

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