article_snippet: A new government report launched amid concern that cocaine is seen as safe found it is no longer 'the preserve of wealthy bankers and celebrities'.
article_snippet: the drug follows the emergence of a market in cheap, low-purity powdered cocaine that operates alongside a more expensive and far higher purity version of the drug.
article_snippet: The access to cheap cocaine - often mixed with harmful cutting agents - is 'highly likely' to have driven the rise in the number of users from 'hard pressed' or low income backgrounds, as well as the 'comfortably off', living outside cities where drug use was traditionally uncommon.
article_snippet: The report, addressed to Home Secretary Theresa May and Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, is the first of its kind to investigate powdered cocaine use and was launched in response to fears of a perception that the drug is safe as use increased.
article_snippet: Professor Les Iversen, chair of the ACMD, an independent body which advises the Government, said: 'Consumption of powdered cocaine in the United Kingdom has changed radically over the last two decades. '
article_snippet: Given the clear health risks associated with even infrequent cocaine use, and associated issues such as dependency and crime, this development has posed a huge challenge to health professionals, law enforcement, educators and academics.'
article_snippet: Despite the rise Tim Miller, one of the authors of this report, said only a small minority of people use cocaine and warned against launching an anti-cocaine education campaign. '
article_snippet: A Home Office spokesman said the department 'continues to be concerned about the harms caused by cocaine use, which is why it is a Class A drug'. '
article_snippet: There are positive signs our approach to The drug is working: the use of powder cocaine has fallen since a peak in
article_snippet: Law enforcement continues to tackle the supply of cocaine at home and abroad and the Coalition Government has introduced new powers to combat the trade in cutting agents, which are mixed with drugs by criminals to boost criminals profits. '
article_snippet: We are grateful to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs for the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs review and recommendations on the use, prevalence and harms associated with powder cocaine.
highlights_snippet: Cocaine no longer just '