Cocaine use in England has intensified significantly, according to recent government analysis based on wastewater sampling. Scientists at the Home Office estimated that people in England consumed 123,000kg of cocaine in 2024-25, equivalent to approximately 2.5 billion lines with a street value estimated at £9.8bn annually. Consumption rose by 26% between 2021 and 2025, though crime survey data indicates the number of people reporting cocaine use has remained relatively flat or declined slightly since the pandemic.
The market dynamics surrounding cocaine have shifted markedly in recent years. Wholesale prices dropped to historically low levels in 2025, falling from roughly £1,300 per ounce in March 2022 to approximately £700 by September 2025. However, prices have risen sharply in 2026, reaching around £950 by September. Cocaine purity has remained high, with retail products typically containing 70-80% pure cocaine, meaning lower prices have made high-quality supplies more accessible and potentially more dangerous.
Demographic patterns reveal a significant shift in usage trends. While younger people remain the most likely users, cocaine consumption is declining among youth and rising among older age groups. People in their 30s now represent the largest demographic seeking treatment for cocaine problems, compared to those in their 20s a decade earlier. Treatment entries for cocaine problems rose 57% between 2019-20 and 2024-25, suggesting increased frequency of use among existing users.
The broader societal impact has intensified alongside these trends. Police forces recorded nearly 30,000 crimes mentioning cocaine in 2025, with 18% classified as violent offenses and approximately 4% as sexual offenses. Additionally, nearly six in ten police drug tests on people arrested for domestic abuse tested positive for cocaine between July 2025 and June 2026. Deaths linked to cocaine use have reached record levels in England and Wales, with over half of cocaine deaths last year involving individuals over 40, reflecting the aging of a cohort that continues regular use.
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