British cocaine 'has dropped in strength' says survey

New research has suggested that cocaine being distributed by dealers in the UK has dropped in strength in recent years and contains more of what may be potentially harmful substances.

The Forensic Science Service (FSS), the organisation that tests seized drugs in the UK, found that on average the cocaine it tested was less than 20 per cent pure, compared to 43 per cent in 2004.

The FSS found that in some cases purity was as low as five per cent, reports BBC Newsbeat.

The findings sparked fears about the potential damage the increase in the amount of unknown substances being mixed with the drug could case.

Tony Saggers of the Serious Organised Crime Agency said, "You are snorting a powder up your nose that may contain a substance that the British pharmaceutical industry doesn't see fit to use at the moment."

"The quality of it has completely dropped. It won't last as long. You go straight to a downer."

BBC Newsbeat quoted an anonymous clubber in Liverpool as saying, "You need a lot more [cocaine], you spend a lot more money to get the right effect and you still can't get the buzz.

"I don't take it anymore because it's all talcum powder and paracetamol."