Detecting common cocaine in drinking water in the UK

The use of cocaine in the UK is so widespread that authorities can detect traces of stimulants in regular drinking water.

Survey results of the drinking water inspection agency for tap water in four different locations in the UK show the existence of benzoylecgonine - a metabolite of cocaine after undergoing absorption in the body people. This compound is also used as a basis for finding cocaine in a human urine test.

In addition to benzoylecgonine, tested drinking water samples contain large amounts of caffeine. British authorities also discovered traces of common analgesics, ibuprofen and carbamazepine, that are being used to treat epilepsy.

British authorities have discovered benzoylecgonine - a metabolite of cocaine after undergoing absorption in the human body, in tap water in the country.(Artwork: Alamy)

Although the amount of benzoylecgonine in tap water is found to be relatively low and does not pose any danger to the health of water users in general, it is a sign of the prevalence of cocaine use in the island nation. blind. Previous public examinations have detected traces of cocaine in almost every circulation of banknotes, in the House's toilets and at two-thirds of Cambridge universities.

The Sunday Times newspaper quoted expert Steve Rolles from the Transform Stimulant Control Policy Advisory Committee, saying: "You are having the highest rate of cocaine use in Western Europe. This drug is also increasing. increasingly cheaper and at the same time increasing their use ".

Cocaine is the only major addiction that has generally seen an increase in use since 1996. Lower costs are thought to be a key cause of the popularity of cocaine. Currently, each gram of stimulants costs about $ 67.4 in the UK, while up to $ 193.9 in the US.

In the 1980s and 1990s, cocaine was once considered a drug addict for the rich and the rich. However, today, it has been widely used in all classes, people of all professions and even students in school seats.

The United Nations Crime and Drug Supervision Agency reports that one in 20 teenagers in the UK aged 15-16 tried cocaine. The number of people being treated for cocaine addiction in the UK island country has increased from 10,770 cases in 2006 - 2007 to 12,592 cases in the 2007-2008 period. It is estimated that there are nearly 700,000 Britons aged 16 - 59 years old in the UK are using this substance every year.

Experts say the results of the new test have once again raised an alarm about the widespread use of stimulants in the UK. It requires authorities in the misty island nation to take urgent action to resolve this problem.