Cocaine use in Britain has become increasingly concentrated among older users who consume the drug more frequently, according to multiple data sources examined recently. Wastewater sampling conducted by Home Office scientists indicated that people in England consumed 123,000kg of cocaine during 2024-25, representing a 26% increase between 2021 and 2025. The estimated street value of this consumption reached £9.8bn annually. Crime survey data showed that the overall number of people reporting cocaine use remained relatively stable or declined slightly since the pandemic, suggesting that existing users are consuming larger quantities rather than the user base expanding dramatically.
Retail prices for cocaine experienced significant volatility during the year. Wholesale prices, which had dropped to historically low levels in 2025 at approximately £700 per ounce, rose sharply during the summer, reaching around £1,000 by July before moderating to approximately £950 by September. Despite these recent price increases, the maintained high purity of street cocaine—typically 70-80% pure—means that lower prices historically drove increased consumption and associated harms. Treatment statistics reflected this trend, with 33,612 people initiating cocaine treatment in 2024-25, representing a 57% increase from 2019-20.
Demographic patterns revealed a significant shift toward older users. While younger age groups remain the most likely to use cocaine, usage among those in their 30s has increased, with this age group now representing the largest proportion seeking treatment. A decade earlier, those in their 20s held this distinction, indicating that a cohort of users has aged while continuing regular consumption. Police forces recorded nearly 30,000 crimes mentioning cocaine in 2025, with 18% classified as violent crimes and approximately 4% as sexual offences. Domestic abuse cases showed particularly high cocaine involvement, with nearly six in 10 police drug tests on domestic abuse suspects testing positive for the substance between July 2025 and June this year.
Mortality data underscored the public health impact of these patterns. England and Wales registered record numbers of cocaine-related deaths, with more than half involving individuals over 40 years old. Specialists attributed this rise to the aging of the user population combined with increased purity and frequency of use. According to drug market analysts, the lack of coordinated upstream drug prevention strategy and dedicated funding contributed to the escalating harms observed over the preceding five to 10 years.
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