true costs of cocaine use

This week we are launching the True Costs campaign which aims to educate and inform people about the true costs of cocaine use and we need your help.

The UK is one of the biggest consumers of cocaine in Europe.

The true costs of cocaine use are significant and far reaching, from child exploitation and other criminality, to health and environmental factors. Not everyone who takes cocaine knows the reality of how it is produced and supplied.

Children as young as seven are being groomed into the world of drugs. They are forced to move cocaine, sometimes inside their own bodies, and face violence, intimidation and sexual assault. This is child exploitation.

Child exploitation involves situations and relationships where young people receive items such as food, accommodation, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, gifts or money as a result of them completing a task, often of a criminal nature, on behalf of another person or group.

Everyday our officers are tackling this type of organised crime and safeguarding vulnerable children from it. We believe there’s a part for you to play too.

Over the coming weeks and months we will be talking a lot about the consequences of cocaine use and we would appreciate you getting involved in the conversation whether that’s at home, amongst friends or at work.

Many of us may know someone who takes cocaine but do you think they would take it if they knew the true costs?

Help us to inform our communities. Share our messages. Start a conversation.

In the long run, we would like to reduce the number of people taking cocaine to hit the market that organised crime groups are relying on to run their business and drive them out of our communities. But for now, this is about sharing what we know about the true costs of cocaine use to help people make informed choices.

You can also follow and take part in the conversation on our social media channels using #TrueCosts.

If you come across anyone you believe could be a victim of child drug exploitation or a person or property which raises suspicion, call 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Thank you for your support.
Detective Chief Superintendent Richard List
Message Sent By
Emma Tarry (Police, Communications Officer, Thames Valley)