Britain: A nation addicted to drugs

Britain is truly a nation on high, addicted to drugs, and these stunning figures, revealed by a new international report on drug abuse tells the rest of the story:

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1. UK tops as a cocaine-consuming nation in Europe with £57million per week business playing havoc with the nation's life.

2. Number of young people using drugs, especially cocaine, have doubled in seven years

3. Deaths related to cocaine addiction have increased by a whopping 300 per cent compared to five years statistics

According to European Union experts, Cocaine tops the consumption chart, though use of other drugs too has increased manifold. Use of once famous ecstasy has fallen, smoking cannabis, as usual, is still a passion on high. However, the main concern revolves round the use of cocaine, which has gone literally out of control. The increase in arrests related to cocaine offenses, which showed more than 75 per cent increase, in the recent years too backs this. Cocaine related drug deaths in Britain too are on a record high, accounting more than 13 per cent of all drug-related deaths in Britain.

Another highly addictive drug, called 'crystal meth' or "ice", which is believed to increase sexual arousal, is catching up fast, gripping youngsters and older generation equally and is considered as most dangerous. The fact that drugs are freely available in every city with factories and illegal laboratories springing up here and there has boosted the sale and addiction.

London is now the cocaine capital of the world and despite strict drug trafficking laws, the business is burgeoning leaps and bound and government has done little to stem its growth. The latest figures drop curtains off only one country, what about other nations. It has been a global problem and is showing no signs of abatement. Use of it by celebrities and public figures too has triggered the domino effect. Seeing it ruling the planet with its presence for many years, 'drugs', including everything we can dream of, one thing is clear, no laws or regulations can plug its use and growth, keeping in mind the 'high' it gives and the money involved, it only depends on an individual to keep away from it. Authorities too must speed up seizing the powder and curb its production once for all and also encourage serious efforts side by side to make people aware of its negative effects.

It's high time we shun the illusionary high or end up as Tim Burgess, lead singer of 'The Charlatans', who is suffering severe health problems owing to cocaine use, says:

"My white powder dreams turned into a nightmare. I was just toying with myself, dancing with the devil ... dancing with death ... I just lost control."

Image Credit: Getty Images

Via: The Independent