CALL TO HELP MIDDLE-CLASS COCAINE ADDICTS

MIDDLE-class drug addicts are turning their backs on treatment
because of the stigma attached to rehab centres.

Many professional people with a cocaine habit consider treatment
programmes as the preserve of "junkies", a conference organised by
the Scottish Drugs Forum heard yesterday.

To combat the concept that only heroin users need treatment, outreach
programmes need to target upmarket bars, nightclubs and even chambers
of commerce. Treatment centres should offer flexible opening to cater
for those in jobs.

The new proposals come amid increasing concerns about Scotland's
cocaine habit. Fatalities have steadily risen, with 44
cocaine-related deaths in 2005. This number is expected to spiral as
the price of cocaine continues to fall and use of the drug in
conjunction with alcohol rises.

David Liddle, director of the Scottish Drugs Forum, said: "Cocaine
users - many of whom are working professionals - will require
services which are sensitive to their lifestyle needs and also to the
fact that many of them do not see themselves as problem drug-users,
like people with heroin problems.

"It's a question of setting up new services that look a bit different
from existing services. We need more specifically aimed campaigns,
including outreach at pubs and bars and places where we know cocaine
use is prevalent."

John Arthur, of the stimulant-treatment centre Crew 2000, in
Edinburgh, said many cocaine users do not seek help because there is
no prescribed treatment for the addiction, whereas methadone is
prescribed to treat heroin abuse.

But he said a range of complementary treatments, such as "acupressure
detox" and relaxation techniques, could help.

He said: "Cocaine abuse, especially when linked with alcohol, is a
timebomb. This is really going to hurt us later on."

A spokesman for the Scottish Executive said: "We launched a
hard-hitting advertising campaign last March and found that following
the campaign 82 per cent disagreed with the statement 'taking cocaine
is quite glamorous'.

"We want young people to make positive lifestyle options."

'Good nights out became long, dark, weekends in' BILL is a successful
Scottish sales executive and recovering cocaine addict. He was
introduced to the class A drug in the mid-90s while in London.

Half a gram was all it took in the beginning for a good night out
but, within a few years, he was up to three grams. Soon, he spent
entire weekends at his flat, behind closed curtains, snorting through
a bloody nose in the dark. That was when the depression and paranoia started.

"None of us thought we were addicts. We thought we were party-goers,"
he said. "I drove a Mercedes and made money. I thought addicts were
heroin users who sold the Big Issue. I always managed to keep my job."

Bill, whose full name is being withheld to protect his identity,
believes Scotland is on the verge of a cocaine epidemic. When he
started using, the price was UKP60 a gram. Now it is down to UKP40.

"You go into a bar or pub anywhere in Scotland and men are lining up
at the bathroom stalls waiting to do a line. It's become so widespread."

Last year, Bill began attending Cocaine Anonymous meetings, based on
the 12-step, self-help programme made famous by Alcoholics Anonymous.
He credits it with saving his life: "I think opening new centres
aimed at cocaine users is a good idea. It's so difficult to get
cocaine addicts to admit that they need help."