COCAINE use has sadly become commonplace in many parts of Bolton, this has partially occurred because of the image of coke as being exclusive, a rich mans drug, and something that isn’t really addictive.

On the other hand the press given to heroin is a lot more stark, it is highly addictive, you could overdose, and if your habit gets out of control you will turn to crime to pay for it.

The reality of cocaine use is very different to the swish and sophisticated image that has become attached to the drug over time.

Once users are not getting the required high from cocaine they will start using crack cocaine, this costs around £1 per minute to maintain the high which lessons in effect and costs more every time the user takes the drug.

During the cocaine epidemic in the US in the late 80s and early 90s people were that hooked on coke that firstly they started selling off personal items such as watches and jewellery, then their hi-fi and TV.

Then it progressed onto selling all of their furniture, and in many cases their homes, for people from poorer backgrounds it meant getting into street robberies and prostitution to pay for the drug.

Cocaine isn’t sophisticated, it isn’t exclusive, it ruins peoples lives, a heavy coke user may need to find well over a £100 per day to keep their habit in line.

We have to ask the question, where is this sort of money likely to come from during the world’s worst recession where thousands of people are losing their jobs on a weekly basis?

Steve Jones
Great Lever