News

Teens as young as 13 are being treated for cocaine addiction in Scotland

Plummeting prices are making the drug more readily available, warns charity Addaction

Cocaine

The plummeting price of cocaine is behind teenagers as young as 13 being treated for cocaine abuse, warns drugs and alcohol charity Addaction.

The influx of youths requiring treatment across Scotland has been so severe that the charity has lowered the age threshold of its services from 14 to 13.

In South Lanarkshire, 62 people under the age of 16 used Addaction’s services in 18 months, while in Argyll Bute, staff have reported an increase in both the availability and purity of cocaine.

The problem with young people using cocaine is that it’s an appalling drug for growing brains

The drug is also the primary problem for the charity in South Ayrshire, while cases are also on the rise in Fife across all age groups.

Jacqueline Baker-Whyte, who leads the Addaction’s services in Hamilton where youngsters aged just 13 have been treated, said: “We’ve had 13-year-olds attend our service for help with cocaine problems. It’s obviously a very small number of kids, but there are quite a few in the 15 plus age group.

“In general we’ve never seen so many people come to us for problems with cocaine. Part of the reason is price, but it’s also about supply. Young people in particular are using social media and the dark web to buy cocaine.”

The drop in street price has opened up the availability of the drug beyond the affluent circles that it is traditionally associated with.

But it also means that users are purchasing in larger quantities or buying a higher strength product for only slightly more than the going-rate – increasing the chances of addiction and mental health problems.

Jacqueline added: “In the past, cocaine was a drug for people with money. That’s no longer the case. It’s cheap, plentiful and easy to get. The ‘quality’ is usually poor and the side effects can be horrendous. The problem with young people using cocaine is that it’s an appalling drug for growing brains. It’s hard to think of a worse substance for mental health; that’s aside from the significant physical effects and the problems with dependency.”

The news comes on the back of the number of drug deaths in the country hitting a 22-year high with 934 drug-related deaths recorded in 2017 – an eight per cent rise on the previous year.

Image: iStock

Support the Big Issue

For over 30 years, the Big Issue has been committed to ending poverty in the UK. In 2024, our work is needed more than ever. Find out how you can support the Big Issue today.
Vendor martin Hawes

Recommended for you

View all
Calls to nationalise Thames Water as Brits face 40% increase in bills: 'A con and a disgrace'
Water bills

Calls to nationalise Thames Water as Brits face 40% increase in bills: 'A con and a disgrace'

Will free school meals and vouchers be offered over the Easter holidays?
Free school meals/ Easter holidays
Free school meals

Will free school meals and vouchers be offered over the Easter holidays?

Leaked letter to Tory MPs reveals renting reforms will be 'watered down' to 'appease landlords'
Renters Reform Bill
RENTING

Leaked letter to Tory MPs reveals renting reforms will be 'watered down' to 'appease landlords'

Council tax is going up for millions in April. Here's what to do if you're struggling to pay
council tax/ houses
Cost of living crisis

Council tax is going up for millions in April. Here's what to do if you're struggling to pay

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Here's when UK households to start receiving last cost of living payments
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Here's when UK households to start receiving last cost of living payments

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know