Crack addiction on rise
NORTH Wales has failed to escape a rising trend of crack cocaine addiction, according to figures released by the Betsi Cadwaldr health board.
Crack – cocaine processed into a rock or lump form – can be smoked or mixed with liquid to be injected, with the highly addictive drug known to be as cheap to buy as £5 per rock.
A March 2019 study by Public Health England reported a rise in crack cocaine use across the border, with an 8.5% increase being reported between 2011/12 and 2016/17.
The latest substance misuse treatment data also showed a 19% increase in the number of English adults starting treatment for crack cocaine (with and without opiates) between 2015/16 and 2017/18.
A freedom of information request to BCUHB found the number of patients receiving treatment for crack addiction has also shown a general increase over recent years.
While the number of patients treated by BCUHB for crack cocaine use was 15 in 2016, in the space of a year this increased to 24, falling slightly to 23 in 2018.
Possession carries a prison sentence of up to seven years, with crack also known as one of the most difficult drugs to “detoxify” from.
The rise in crack use, the Public Health England investigation found, is likely to be caused by increased availability, linked to a surge in global production of cocaine.
This has been coupled with “aggressive marketing” by dealers, changes in attitudes and stigma associated with crack use, and a reduced focus by police on drug-dealing.
North Wales Police has long been involved in trying to clamp down on supply, with the National Crime Agency estimating 100 county lines drugs networks were operating in Wales.
“Distribution of controlled drugs will not be tolerated and we will continue to take positive robust action,” said Supt Mark Pierce of North Wales Police. “However, we can’t tackle this alone and key to all our work is intelligence.”
A BCUHB spokesperson said: “A range of treatment interventions are available depending on the needs identified by the individual.
“These include psychological intervention, relapse prevention and recovery focused group work.”