Pubdate: Mon, 14 Apr 2008
Source: Worcester News (UK)
Copyright: 2008 Newsquest Media Group
Contact: http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/wnlettertoeditor/
Website: http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4745
Author: Alicia Kelly
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

ALCOHOL MADE ME FEEL ILL, SO I TURNED TO COCAINE INSTEAD

COCAINE use is widespread in Worcestershire according to one user who
believes he is doing nothing wrong in taking the drug.

The man, who wants to be known as K, contacted your Worcester News
after reading our exclusive story last week about cocaine use in the
county. K, a manager at a financial company, has been using cocaine,
about once every three weeks, for seven years but says he is not a
drug addict.

He was recently arrested for possession of the drug and, if convicted,
he faces a criminal record which could affect his career.

He said: "If convicted, you have to disclose it on all forms. I think
it could prevent you from having director status in the future, plus
you are a criminal.

"You have a criminal record and I have to say how is that in the
interest of the public? I haven't hurt anyone or even been rowdy."

K, aged 30, began taking cocaine after he tried alcohol but found that
it made him feel ill.

He said: "I could feel the strain it put on my body and I didn't have
a clue what I was doing once I'd had too much to drink. I could have
done something to hurt myself or someone else. With cocaine I found it
chilled me out and didn't cause aggression."

However, he claimed stories about the drug were over dramatised and he
found it merely nice' with no side effects, apart from an occasional
sore or stuffy nose.

He does not believe it should be categorised as class A but does
concede that crack cocaine is totally different.

K said he knows many people who take cocaine, which can cost him UKP60
for one evening.

He said: "I know thousands of people who do it, some friends, some
colleagues.

"They all have good jobs, plumbers, electricians; they could be in the
finance industry or solicitors. The list goes on. I know a couple of
doctors who do it.

"The problem is a lot bigger than the police say but, at the same
time, it isn't a problem.

"The police aren't saying people aren't doing drugs. They are saying
they are just not getting caught and not hurting anyone. People are
allowed to drink, get overweight, join the Army, drive a car, which
could all get you killed."

However, a spokeswoman from drug charity Turning Point said there were
problems assocated with cocaine and crack use including getting into
debt, depression, agitation, anxiety and paranoia.

She also said excessive use or high doses could cause an epileptic
fit, a stroke or a heart attack.

In your Worcester News last week, six out of 15 venues tested by our
reporters found traces of the drugs in public lavatories.

They also found traces of the drug in a High Street shop, a city
centre pub, a railway station, in council buildings and even at
Worcester Magistrates court. 
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