Belfast streets being ‘flooded with cocaine’ as councillor warns users are ‘gambling with lives’

He has called for more awareness of the dangers of sniffing, smoking, and injecting cocaine

A Belfast councillor has warned cocaine users are “playing Russian roulette with their lives” due to the increasing availability of the drug on our streets.

Independent councillor Paul McCusker, who also founded The People’s Kitchen homeless charity, said most recently concerns have been raised around the availability of synthetic cocaine in the city.

He said smoking and injecting crack cocaine has now “significantly increased” on the streets of Belfast, and is now the “drug of choice” for those they support at The People’s Kitchen. However, he has warned of the availability of cocaine not just within the homeless community, but also in communities across Northern Ireland.

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Cllr McCusker has called for more to be done including widespread availability to drug testing kits, and more awareness of the dangers of sniffing, smoking, and injecting cocaine.

He said: “While a recent drugs bust took place regarding the transportation of cocaine, we have seen an increasing availability of cocaine on the streets having a huge impact on the lives on thousands of people.

“Most recently concerns were raised in relation to synthetic cocaine which we believe is on the streets of Belfast and has a huge impact on the user as they have a different experience having a damaging impact on their mental health, some users telling me it gives them instant suicidal thoughts, paranoia and at times hallucinations. Concerns I have raised directly with the PHA.

“Smoking and injecting crack cocaine has also significantly increased which is now the choice of drug for those who we support at The People’s Kitchen, it is just not an issue within the homeless community but communities across Northern Ireland. The concerning problem is that the amount of cocaine on the streets have increased and users often do not know what is contained with the drug putting them at greater risk.

“The term ‘’Pint and a sniff’’ is common across Northern Ireland and the fact that we do not have access to testing kits also puts users at risk. We are aware there is also an increasing amount of individuals admitted to hospital relating to cardiac problems due to cocaine use and it has got to the stage now where it can be socially accepted in some areas.

“It is important for users to understand when you are buying cocaine that it could contain other harmful substances, one lady tonight who was distressed as she told me she needed cocaine stated ‘’This cocaine on the streets is different and I have been using for years, it is scaring me.””

Paul is calling for the Public Health Agency to launch a specific campaign on the dangers of cocaine use to address its widespread use and availability.

He added: “Harm reduction model is important and more information for users is urgently needed, access to testing kits and more awareness of the dangers of sniffing, smoking and injecting cocaine is urgently needed. Users are playing Russian roulette with their lives, more localised community support should also be available.

“The PHA need to launch a campaign on the dangers of cocaine use, particularly when we believe it is being mixed with other harmful substances and PHA need to send an alert out to agencies and to users.”

The Public Health Agency (PHA) said they commission and support “a range of partner organisations across the community, voluntary and statutory sectors to provide prevention, early intervention, treatment and recovery-focused services for individuals, families and communities impacted by substance use.”

Additionally, they said they undertake an “ongoing programme of public communications highlighting the risks associated with substance use”, including “specific harm reduction advice” issued through media, social media, and direct communication through “organisations with direct contact with those at greatest risk of harm.”

A spokesperson for the PHA added: “Working in communities, these services deliver targeted prevention and early intervention programmes such as the Youth Engagement Service for children and young people. Treatment services are available in local communities for adults, children and families impacted by substance use. Harm reduction advice and support for people who use substances are available via the Low Threshold Service within each HSC Trust area.

“For people who use the PHA-commissioned Needle and Syringe Exchange Service (NSES), drug testing kits are available to help reduce the risk of harm. More information can be found on www.pha.site/HarmReduction

“If you or someone you know is affected by drug and/ or alcohol use, information on the range of support services in your local area can be found on www.DrugsAndAlcoholNI.info

“All substances carry risks. The PHA strongly advises you not to take any drug which has not been prescribed to you. However, if you do choose to use drugs, you can help to reduce the risk of harm by:

• Dosing low and going slow – take the smallest amount you can and leave as long as you can between doses, at least two hours.
• Sticking to one drug – mixing drugs can cause unexpected and unpredictable results. This includes mixing with alcohol.
• Never using alone – make sure that there are people around who can respond in the event of an emergency.
• If someone becomes ill, get medical help urgently.