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Cocaine Awareness

Issued: 23 November 2006

  • KNOW THE SCORE LAUNCHES HEALTH CHECK FOR FESTIVE REVELLERS
  • SCOTTISH LICENSEES BACK BID TO HIGHLIGHT HEALTH RISKS OF COCAINE

Licensees from over 45 pubs and clubs in Edinburgh have joined forces to kick start Know the Score's national anti-cocaine campaign targeting festive revellers.

This weekend (24-26 November), pubs and clubs across Scotland's capital will host the Scottish Government Know the Score campaign's largest ever Cocaine Awareness Weekend, directly targeting 18-26 year olds and the general adult population to raise awareness of the health risks of taking cocaine.

This is part of a national anti-cocaine campaign featuring TV advertising in the run up to the December party season when temptation to experiment with drugs may be at a high. The ad highlights the crucially important point that even recreational and occasional cocaine use carries grave health risks.

From George Street to the Cowgate, staff and managers in premises across Edinburgh that are part of the Lothian & Borders Police Safeguard initiative, including Why Not, Candy Bar, Subway and Cabaret Voltaire, will be sporting 'Know the Score' T-shirts, distributing branded drinks stirrers and information leaflets detailing the health risks of cocaine use and highlighting Know the Score’s information and advice services.

Tom Wood, Chair of Scottish Association of Alcohol and Drugs Action Teams, Supt Gillian Wood, National Drugs Co-ordinator, Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency and Lothian & Borders Police Drugs Awareness Officers attended the official launch of the Edinburgh Cocaine Awareness Weekend at Cabaret Voltaire in Blair Street today (23 November 2006).

Tom Wood said, "Tragically, cocaine still has a showbiz party image when we see increasing evidence of its deadly consequences. In particular, the mix of cocaine with alcohol is, I believe, a huge threat. This year we have already seen a number of tragic deaths where that lethal combination has led to disaster. As we approach the party season, people have got to wake up to the real price of using cocaine or they themselves will experience it first hand."

The National Drug Co-ordinator Detective Supt Gillian Wood said, "In the last couple of years or so we have identified an increase in the number of individuals using cocaine. One of the many dangers associated with cocaine use is the misconception that occasional use will not lead to addiction. The reality, of course, is that many cocaine users regularly access treatment programmes for help with depression, paranoia and all of the other issues, which go hand in hand with cocaine addiction. Users must be aware that, when mixed with other drugs, including alcohol, the effects are less predictable.

"I am delighted that Know The Score has decided to highlight the issues associated with cocaine use and I fully support the 'Cocaine Awareness Weekend'. I hope that this year’s initiative will build on last year’s excellent results and once again highlight the dangers of using cocaine."

Sarah David of Cabaret Voltaire is one of 46 licensees participating in the initiative. Sarah said: "Cabaret Voltaire operates a Zero Tolerance policy on drugs and employs various controls to lower the opportunity for drugs and drug dealers to enter the premises, this further ensuring the safety of it patrons. Compulsory searching is a condition of entry and guaranteed police involvement wherever drugs are found are just two of such methods designed to demonstrate the club's devotion to standing strong against drugs.

"We welcome any initiative to raise the profile of this fight against drugs and the only way to secure safe environments for our patrons is through public information drives such as Know the Score’s Cocaine Awareness campaign."

Funded by the Scottish Government, Know the Score is Scotland’s anti-drugs information and advice campaign which has its own free 24 hr confidential helpline 0800 587 587 9 and website: www.knowthescore.info.

Previous Cocaine Awareness Weekends involved over 40 pubs and clubs in Glasgow and Tayside.