COCAINE USE IN THE CAPITAL DOUBLE THE REST OF THE COUNTRY

4.41.21pm GMT Thu 4th Dec 2003

New figures released by the Home Office that show cocaine use in the capital is twice the national average, with more than 300,000 (4.2%) Londoners using the drug in the last year.

Commenting Liberal Democrat Mayoral candidate, Simon Hughes, said:

"Cocaine use damages Londoners' health and lines the pockets of serious criminals.

"Recent falls in the street price of cocaine show that the market is being flooded and that the police are struggling to stem the tide."

ENDS

Notes to editors

The Home Office published the report Geographical Variations in Drug Use today. The statistics can be found on page 6; Table 2.1.

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs2/hosb1503.pdf