Cocaine addiction has become the fastest growing drug problem among young British women. The number of addicted women has increased by almost two thirds in the past four years, figures show.
Figures released by the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse on 2 December 2009 show a total of 1,261 women of child bearing age needed treatment for cocaine abuse last year compared to just 790 four years ago.
The figures relate to women aged between 18 and 35 and signal a worrying trend in more and more females abusing hard drugs. The numbers will fuel concerns of a ‘ladette’ culture which has grown around increasing alcohol abuse among young women.
Rosa O’Connor, director of the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse, said that despite having fewer numbers of females seeking treatment for crack and heroin addiction, she is seriously concerned by the increase in cocaine dependence among women.
‘The drugs could damage their fertility, cause paranoia and heart problems,’ she said. She also warned of the dangers for women using cocaine and alcohol together.
In January this year, a Government report revealed a dramatic rise in the number of crimes committed by girls. The Ministry of Justice said there had been a 22 per cent increase since 2004. Girls of 18 and under committed more than 58,000 crimes last year, seven every hour. For the first time in history, crimes of violence have overtaken theft as the most common offence among women and girls.
(See the Daily Mail report)
Jenny Willott, MP for Cardiff Central, said last month that the ‘late night alcohol-fuelled crime and anti-social behaviour is a huge problem on the streets’.
Professor Ian Gilmore, president of the Royal College of Physicians, also said:
‘We are more than double our nearest rivals when it comes to women binge drinking. We stand out like sore thumbs.’
(See the Daily Mail report)
Andrea Minichiello Williams, Director of CCFON, said: 'The worrying upward trend in drug abuse by women is a further signal of the devastating consequences of abandoning our Christian heritage. Drugs bring a terrible bondage and are a symptom and picture of sin in our lives. Let us pray that the message of the Gospel would be heard by those caught up in the drugs culture; that they would find deliverance from their addiction and true fulfilment in Jesus Christ'.
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