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Cocaine use increasing in wealthier English and Welsh households

According to figures from the latest survey of crime in England and Wales, cocaine use by people from wealthier households is at its highest level in almost ten years. In 2017/18, 3.4% of people aged between16 and 59, in households with an income of £50,000 or more, said they used cocaine in powder form, compared to 3.2% in the previous year, and 2.2% in 2014/15. The latest percentage is the highest recorded since 2008/09 when it stood at 3.8%.

Of the five household income categories defined by the Home Office in its annual report of drug misuse, people in the £50,000 and over classification reported the highest cocaine use. By comparison, households in the lowest income classification, who earned less than £10,000, 2% said they used cocaine last year, a decrease from 3.4% in 2008/09.

Earlier this week, Cressida Dick, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, lashed out at the middle-class individuals who see “no harm” in using cocaine and yet worry about global warming and fair trade. She said that these users help to promote “misery throughout the supply chain” of the drug. Her remarks came after similar statements by David Gauke, the Justice Secretary, and Sadiq Khan, the London Mayor.

The figures from the latest survey noted that powder cocaine was the second-highest used drug behind cannabis in England and Wales last year. 2.6% of adults reported using powder cocaine last year. That percentage amounted to approximately 875,000 individuals, the highest since 2008/09.

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