New analysis of England’s wastewater reveals an alarming scale of cocaine use, with billions of lines consumed annually, fueling a surge in drug-related crime. Police reports show a sharp rise in offenses linked to the class A drug, including violent incidents and dangerous driving, as consumption climbs across the country. A Guardian investigation highlights how cocaine has become embedded in social settings, from nightlife to workplaces, while official figures confirm a steep increase in usage over recent years. The findings underscore the growing public health and safety challenges tied to Britain’s expanding cocaine habit.
Exclusive: Wastewater analysis in England suggests people took roughly 2.5bn lines of drug in one yearAgeing users and record deaths – the data behind Britain’s £9.8bn-a-year cocaine habitPubs, festivals and workplaces: how cocaine has become an everyday habitBritish police are recording a growing number of crimes linked to cocaine, including assaults, domestic abuse and dangerous driving, as figures show consumption has surged across England.A Guardian investigation has found police forces across Britain recorded a 10% rise in crime rates associated with the class A drug since 2019, while the Home Office estimates cocaine usage at sites across England has risen by 26% since 2021. Continue reading...
