The number of people beginning treatment for dependancy on cocaine and heroin fell substantially from 2008/9 numbers according to the National Treatment Agency for Substance Abuse. The greatest decline was in the under 30's age group. This has been seen as a positive indiction of the way drug dependancy is being dealt with and not a lack of services precluding addicts from gaining helpStatistics released yesterday give further information on cocaine addiction. Previous research had indicted a rise in hospital admissions due to cocaine abuse; now the newest data indicates a rise by 20% in deaths attributable to cocaine. This figure is the highest for eight years.
New official government figures reveal that as many as seventeen people are being admitted to hospital accident and emergency departments every week as a result of taking cocaine. According to UN figures the UK has the largest usage of cocaine in Europe, with an estimated million people inhaling the drug. The price of cocaine has fallen and doctors say this could increase usage and in turn increase the likelihood of accidental overdoses.
