Cocaine found in 70 per cent of pub toilets
Inspector Neil Simpson with his drug testing kit
POLICE are to roll out a drug testing drive after finding traces of cocaine in 70 per cent of pub toilets tested during an operation.
Officers said they were “surprised” at the level of usage in pubs after ten tests were carried out in pubs in Penicuik and Roslin as part of Operation Eucalyptus.
Surfaces in cubicles were wiped with specially-treated tissue which turns blue when traces of the class-A drug are detected.
The results are worse than those recently found in Musselburgh, Prestonpans and Tranent, where only eight out of 21 pubs were found with traces of the drug.
Inspector Neil Simpson said having knowledge of the extent of the problem would aid in the crackdown on drugs across the region.
He told the Evening News: “We have intelligence about drug usage in the area, but wanted to test every pub in a small area to give us an idea of the extent of the problem.
“We identified these swabs about six months ago, had a trial on these pubs on December 30 and were quite amazed when so many came back positive.
“It’s clear that where cocaine was once regarded as a more socially upmarket drug, today it is used by the sections of general public, normal working people.”
He added: “The female toilets came back more positive than the males, which was very surprising and something we’ll examine.
“We already have the resources to tackle drug use but knowledge like this will allow us to focus our operations.”
Inspector Simpson said that most landlords were co-operative, although some were not aware of what had been going on or had turned a blind eye.
He added: “We’re going to go back and test all of the premises in the area and give the landlords information as to how best to deter users on their premises.
“Lothian and Borders Police is committed to ensuring the public in Midlothian can enjoy a safe and secure night out in the county’s various licensed premises and anyone found to be responsible for any criminal activity within will be robustly dealt with.”
The scheme is the first police have carried out in the area so it is not clear if the results point to a rise or fall in usage. However, the 2009-10 Scottish Drug Misuse Database revealed that 17 per cent of cocaine users presenting themselves as patients for the first time lived in the NHS Lothian area.
Martin Bonnar, manager of the Midlothian and East Lothian Drugs and Alcohol Partnership, said some drug users were under the impression that cocaine is a safe drug.
He said: “Cocaine is not the safe, glamorous party drug that some people think it is. It can lead to some very serious health problems, in addition to the danger of becoming addicted to the drug.
“Immediate effects from its use can include an increased heart rate, palpitations, sweating and chest pain. Users can also become agitated and anxious, which can turn into panic or paranoia.
“Cocaine use can also increase the chances of having a heart attack or stroke.”
rory.reynolds@edinburghnews.com
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Comments
There are 18 comments to this article
Page 1 of 2
Dave scotland
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 03:48 PMAs long as the courts are weak. Why stop dealing or using drugs when there is no real detterent. Maybe the threat of closing the pubs down would be some way to getting the pubs to be more watchful although it is impossible to catch every user dealer that uses pubs etc. Maybe short term jails (1wk -1mth) for users dealers should be tried.
Tartancult
Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 09:49 PM"Cocaine found in 70 per cent of pub toilets".....................................All this tells me is that 30 per cent of pub toilets are cleaned well. ...............And scotman, just because you want free drugs doesn't mean that the police should stop enforcing the law.
scotman
Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 08:18 PMTime to end the so called "drugs war "
broomhouse yank via bermuda
Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 04:37 PMso what are the pollis going to do about the dope?not a lot me thinks but at least the clappers are clean..
barney.mcgrew
Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 04:20 PMDid the Parliament not ban this and make you go outside?
Afredo Garcia
Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 03:52 PMAdd the courts, council buildings and nicks Rugal...
trenchchat
Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 03:34 PMWe need to crack this problem ASAP.
Rugal
Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 03:09 PMCan we have police station toilets checked as well please?
Jingsitsme
Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 03:02 PMif they know it's happening it's time for action to stop it! Let's see it now!
Vandeerbrock
Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 02:23 PMI've always thought people from Penicuik, Tranent and Musselburgh talk a load of rubbish, now I know why.
Sally Longlegs
Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 02:05 PMNow there's a surprise. Why bother if they are not going to do something to stop it? Tell us something we dont know Mr Simpson.
Uncle Buck
Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 01:51 PM#6 - Burke & Hare
themanwith2brains
Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 01:35 PMbaby oil and girls, i will have some of that, can you tell me names of pubs please
Xena - Warrior Princess
Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 01:23 PMI was told some of the pubs are coating surfaces in the ladies toilet with baby oil which more or less destroys the drug. I don't know if this is true or not but could be worth a try.
Dragonlord
Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 01:10 PMIf the drugs are to be found in the toilets why are the clowns buying off the street?
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