Warning over new crack epidemic

Crack cocaine is taking an increasing hold on young, middle class professionals as addiction to the deadly drug threatens to spread out of control.

Home Office Minister Bob Ainsworth has told an emergency drugs summit that the use of the highly addictive drug has already spread "the length and breadth of the country" and could cause "massive devastation" if left unchecked.

Home Office figures show an eight per cent rise in seizures of crack cocaine in 2000. At the same time courts in England and Wales have dealt with a seven per cent rise in crack-related offences.

Use of the drug is also no longer the preserve of youths on deprived estates. One London drug treatment centre said that up to 40 per cent of its patients were professionals, including solicitors, businessmen, local government workers and estate agents.

Mr Ainsworth said crack, a pure form of cocaine, was now as great a threat as heroin, but because of its high level of addiction was even harder to deal with.