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Record numbers killed by 'dinner party' cocaine
Anna Davis, Evening Standard28 Aug 2008
The number of people killed by cocaine overdoses is at a record high, it was revealed today.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed 196 people died after taking the drug last year, out of 2,640 who died from substance abuse of all types.
The data has prompted drug charities to warn that cocaine is becoming the narcotic of choice for the middle classes after it showed more men in their thirties and forties are now dying of drug abuse. Traditionally it is men in their twenties who are most at risk.
Experts believe cocaine's "dinner party" image is masking its true dangers.
Clare McNeil, of drug treatment charity Addaction, said: "Cocaine is seen as a middle-class drug associated with success and money.
"It doesn't-have the stigma attached to other Class A drugs like heroin but it can be just as destructive. People are often ignorant of the risks of combining alcohol with cocaine for example, which can increase the risk of liver and heart disease, strokes and epilepsy.
"The increase in deaths among men in their thirties and forties is worrying. It suggests that more people are continuing to experiment and take risks with drugs well into adulthood."
There have been a number of high profile deaths involving the drug in recent years including German aristocrat Count Gottfried von Bismarck.
The flamboyant 44-year-old's body contained the highest level of cocaine ever seen by the post-mortem pathologist, an inquest heard.
Westminster coroner's court was told that the count had been injecting cocaine every hour during the day and night before his death in July last year.
Coroner Dr Paul Knapman said: "This is a very regrettable story. The reckless behaviour with cocaine has caused his death."
Actress Natasha Collins, 31, died in a scalding hot bath on 3 January after taking large amounts of cocaine, wine, vodka and sleeping pills. Her fiancé children's TV presenter Mark Speight killed himself in April.
Today's figures also show a 16 per cent increase in heroin and morphine deaths over the last year. In 2006 there were 713 deaths caused by the drugs, but that rose to 829 last year.
More men are dying from drug abuse than at any time in the past five years - with 1,914 fatalities last year - while the number of female drug deaths is at an all time low at 726.
The blame for increased cocaine use has also been laid at the door of celebrities.
In March a United Nations report criticised "'coke-snorting fashionistas" for encouraging young people to take the drug.
Reader views (1)
Double standards for use of 'recreational' substances are applied, and the media associates drug abuse with success. Job well done...
- Paul, London, 28/08/2008 14:24
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