Youngsters of 13 taking cocaine
Experts say ‘ party drug’ is cheaper than ever before
Cocaine use in Ayrshire is on an upward spiral as the drug becomes cheaper and easier to get.
Addiction experts say they are seeing a huge increase in the use of the so- called ‘ party drug’.
And there are warnings that schoolkids now have easy access to it.
“Cocaine doesn’t seem to have the stigma of other drugs,” said Pat rick Doherty, service manager at Addaction in Ayr.
“It might start off as a bit of fun,” he said.
“But it can end up with people losing their jobs, their relationships and even their lives.”
Cocaine is so addictive that someone can become hooked after trying it just once. The powerful stimulant can be smoked, snorted or injected. And increasing numbers are turning to it as a way of combating stress. Cocaine makes your heart beat faster and your blood pressure and body temperature rise.
It is so dangerous that it can induce a heart attack or stroke. Scottish schoolkids as young as 13 are getting hooked on cocaine, Addaction has warned. Addaction is the UK’s largest drug and alcohol charity.
But its role in Ayrshire for now is dealing with people aged 18 and over.
It’s more typically older teens and poeple in their twenties in Ayrshire who are falling prey to cocain’s allure.
However, it is understood that some children’s charities like Barnardo’s are seeing younger people with addiction issues.
Patrick Doherty says Addaction staff in Ayr are constantly updating their knowledge in order to cope.
Addaction now has a staff member in a big GP practice and is keen to work with more family doctors.
The charity also runs family groups at Ayr’s Lochside and from the Tesco in Whitletts Road.
“A loved one is often best placed to give support,” said Patrick.
Addaction in Ayr is based at Killoch Place, near to Burns Statue Square, and covers all of South Ayrshire. Addaction in Kilmarnock covers the whole of East Ayrshire, including the Cumnock and Doon Valley areas. “We deal with every area of drug and alcohol addiction,” said Chris Bermingham, Addaction manager for East Ayrshire. “We’re certainly seeing an increase in cocaine use.” Addaction in Kilmarnock is based at The Cross, in the green- domed former bank building. Addaction also runs a free and confidential web chat service where people can seek help and support www. addaction. org. uk