City cocaine addicts offered self-help to kick the habit

Cocaine addicts in Edinburgh are being offered the chance to get themselves off the drug with the launch of a new AA-style self-help group.

Cocaine Anonymous Scotland (CAS), which is modelled on Alcoholics Anonymous, has targeted the Capital in light of the growing appetite for the class A drug.

The extent of Edinburgh's cocaine problem was laid bare last week by an Evening News investigation which uncovered traces of the drug in two-thirds of the city's top bars and clubs.

The tumbling cost of cocaine has seen it become the drug of choice for growing numbers of young clubbers and drinkers. Despite a perceived clean and glamorous image, cocaine can be highly addictive and NHS statistics show the number of people admitted to hospital in the Lothians due to the effects of cocaine abuse has increased tenfold over the last six years, rising steadily from two to 22.

Support group CAS, which was established in 2000, will hold its first meeting for addicts in the Capital next month.

A spokesman said: "Our meetings have mainly been in the west coast but drugs workers in Edinburgh have been telling us for a while that there is a need for our services there. Cocaine Anonymous uses a tried and tested way of helping people to tackle their addiction by facing up to it with the help of others battling the same problems.

"Our meetings are about the recovery process because although cocaine can start out as just a party drug, getting addicted is quite easy. You see the consequences of cocaine addiction at our meetings with people who have lost their jobs, wives and homes because all they could think about was taking cocaine."

The News found evidence of cocaine in eight out of 12 pubs and nightclubs across the city centre where tests were carried out in toilets using field test kits made by United States manufacturer NIK and used by the FBI.

Special wipes turn blue when they come into contact with traces of cocaine and our investigation team found traces on the backs of seats and the tops of toilet-roll holders - commonly used as surfaces from which it is snorted.

Drug workers have said the price of a gram of cocaine on the city's streets has fallen in the last six years from £90 to just £35, meaning it is no longer the sole preserve of high-earners.

John Arthur, of the drugs counselling group Crew 2000, said: "We think this a great idea and long overdue. Cocaine abuse is without doubt a growing problem and for people who are struggling to cope with their cocaine use it will be a great step.

"We've already referred people to the Glasgow meetings before so it will be great to have something in Edinburgh to complement the range of support services that already exist. The anonymity is also important because people don't want their addictions flagged up for all to see, so it means that people from all walks of life can attend the meetings."

Edinburgh's anti-drugs chief Tom Wood, who last year warned a line of cocaine was now cheaper than a glass of wine, said: "This is a very positive development because CAS is a good organisation and is similar to Alcoholics Anonymous in that it encourages people to give up by themselves. The strength of the people around you is also important in these meetings because they know what you are going through."

Scotsman