UK termed as cocaine capital of Europe

UK termed as cocaine capital of Europe - According to a new report by an EU drug agency, the UK has become the centre of cocaine use in Europe. The report showed that the UK has emerged as the `cocaine capital' of Europe for the second year in a row. The study shows that more young people in the UK have used cocaine in the UK compared to those in other European countries.

The study estimates that about 4.8% of the people between the age of 15 to 34 in the UK have taken the illegal drug during the last year. However on the positive side, the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction said that the drug use in the UK is decreasing.

The repot also found that the use of Ecstasy and amphetamine is also falling in Europe. It states that the growth of legal alternatives could overtake cocaine use in Europe. A total of about 600 websites have been identified offering the `legal highs' in Europe.

The report says that this presents a great challenge for the authorities in Europe over the coming years. The drug makes keep themselves ahead of the authorities by quickly releasing alternative to banned drugs.

Wolfgang Gotz said, "This is reflected not only in the sheer number of new substances appearing on the market but also in their diversity and in how they are produced, distributed and marketed."

via: topnews