Study: One in 10 Scottish teens uses cocaine

A pair of studies for the Scottish government shows that, as the costs of cocaine drop, more and more teenagers are trying it.

The Scottish Crime and Victim Survey and the Scottish Schools Adolescent Lifestyles and Substance Use Survey ask 16- to 19-year-old if they had even taken cocaine. Just over 13% had taken it, and over 10% had in the last year.

Police warn that teens can easily afford to drug, especially if they pool their money together. The drug allows users to drink more alcohol than their body would normally allow, but also drastically elevates the risk of a heart attack.

Scotland has one of the highest cocaine usage rates in Europe.