Health · Public Health & Disease · 2 hrs ago
UK cocaine consumption is rising as users age and deaths reach record levels
A Home Office estimate based on sewage samples suggests cocaine use in England rose 26% from 2021 to 2025.
It estimated that people in England consumed 123,000kg in 2024-25, though the calculation has substantial margins of error.
By contrast, surveys show the number of people reporting cocaine use in the past year has stayed flat or fallen slightly since the pandemic.
One possible explanation is that some users are taking cocaine more often, while surveys may miss people who are homeless or living in institutions.
More people are seeking treatment: 33,612 people started treatment for cocaine problems in England in 2024-25, 57% more than in 2019-20.
Use is falling among younger people and rising among older age groups, and people in their 30s are now the largest age group seeking help.
Cocaine-linked deaths have reached record levels, while high purity and a recent rise in prices may affect the risks and patterns of use.
Cocaine consumption in England rose by an estimated 26% between 2021 and 2025, according to wastewater data.
The Home Office estimated that people in England consumed 123,000kg of cocaine in 2024-25, worth an estimated £9.8bn at street prices.
The number of people reporting cocaine use in the past year has remained flat or fallen slightly since the pandemic, while treatment figures point to more people seeking help for cocaine problems.
Use is falling among younger people and rising among older age groups, with people in their 30s the largest group seeking treatment.
Deaths linked to cocaine have reached record levels.
- Who
- Cocaine users in England, including a growing number of older users. People in their 30s were the largest age group seeking treatment.
- What
- Estimated cocaine consumption rose, while deaths linked to the drug reached record levels.
- When
- Consumption rose by 26% between 2021 and 2025. The estimate for total use covers 2024-25.
- Where
- England.
- Why
- The sources suggest that some people may be using cocaine more often. The reasons for the rise in consumption are not established.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Wastewater analysis indicated that cocaine consumption rose by 26%.
The Home Office estimated that people in England consumed 123,000kg of cocaine.
The Home Office published its experimental estimate of cocaine consumption.
- Consumption change
- 26% rise between 2021 and 2025
- Estimated consumption
- 123,000kg in England in 2024-25
- Estimated street value
- £9.8bn
- Treatment starts
- 33,612 people in England in 2024-25
- Change in treatment starts
- 57% increase from 2019-20 to 2024-25
- Largest treatment age group
- People in their 30s
2 sources
What people are saying
People are often not honest about their drug use with strangers.
I’ve never seen such a quick increase in the price of cocaine
a reduced price drives up use. With increased use and increased purity, you end up with more deaths.