Problem cocaine use quadruples in the Lothians as heroin usage declines

Cocaine usage in Edinburgh has quadrupled in the last five years putting it in third place behind heroin and cannabis as the Capital’s most popular drug, new statistics show

Problem cocaine usage has risen four-fold in the Lothians (Photo: Shutterstock)

The figures track the main drug for patients who are treated at Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADP) in Lothian, meaning that many could also be struggling with dependencies on other drugs.

The number of patients presenting with cocaine use, however, has risen four-fold since 2014 with 273 patients treated in 2018/19 compared to just 64 in 2013/14.

Conservative Lothian MSP and shadow health secretary, Miles Briggs, said the rise was “very worrying” and called for more support for ADPs in the region. The Scottish Government said it was important for services to adapt to changing drug habits.

Despite a decrease from a peak of 771 patients seeking help for the drug in 2016/17, heroin, with 566 patients last year, is still the Capital’s worst problem drug.

Mr Briggs, said: “It is reassuring that fewer people are being treated for heroin at ADPs, but the increase in the number of people being treated for cocaine is very worrying.

“In the Lothian’s and across Scotland there has been a record number of people who are dying from drug abuse. There needs to be a shift towards recovery and rehabilitation and all parties must work together to reverse this trend.”

David Liddell, chief executive at the Scottish Drugs Forum, said the increase in cocaine use is mainly being seen in a younger generation.

He said: “The reduction in people using heroin is partially explained by the different drugs being used by people of different generations. People aged over thirty five are more likely to be involved in polydrug use focussed on opiates like heroin; younger people, who face similar issues, are involved in polydrug use involving cocaine. This includes crack cocaine and may involve injecting cocaine.

“Although in Scotland heroin use is heavily stigmatised, problem cocaine use is no less concerning and it can be more difficult to get people into effective treatment in the absence of a pharmaceutical substitute.

“Scotland continues to have high numbers of people living in poverty and large areas with low levels of employment activity. In such circumstances, problem substance use will, unfortunately persist particularly in people who have experienced difficult in childhood and been traumatised”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “These latest figures reinforce the fact that the rise in drug related deaths is predominantly being driven by people aged over 35 who also experience a range of other health and social issues, many as a result of their long term drug use.

“The data also shows that drug trends are changing, and it is important that services are able to adapt to meet the needs of those who are most at risk.

“We are taking urgent action to address the public health emergency which Scotland is facing in terms of drug deaths - including the setting up of a dedicated taskforce to help reduce the harms caused by drugs and save lives.”