http://www.guardian.co.uk/drugs/Story/0,2763,1573777,00.htmlAlmost 50,000 Londoners are addicted to crack cocaine, according to research published yesterday.
The estimate suggests that 46,000 15 to 44-year-olds in the capital are injecting or smoking the drug. That amounts to more than 1% of the age group. Previous estimates had put the level of addiction at almost a quarter that number.
The re-evaluation of the prevalence of crack addiction in London carries serious implications for crime and health. Offenders are known to spend as much as £500 a week on the habit, while in some police stations up to one in five arrests are said to relate to crack use.
There are also increased risks among users of psychiatric problems, such as paranoia and depression, and links to violent behaviour.