Cocaine-alcohol mix alarms doctors

COCAINE users who have taken the drug while drunk have been admitted to A&E departments in a coma, the head of Rutland Treatment Centre said yesterday.

In the past six to 12 months, up to 20 users visiting the centre had admitted abusing cocaine as part of a cocktail of drugs, Stephen Rowen said.

"Cocaine is becoming more and more frequently-mentioned. While the number is small, they (user numbers) are far greater than they were just 18 months ago and more low-income people are using it," Mr Rowen said.