By Graeme Strachan The Courier
A LIVER specialist at Dundee’s Ninewells Hospital last night warned that people who snort cocaine could unwittingly pick up a carcinogenic virus.
While it is well documented that people who share needles to take heroin or steroids can contract hepatitis C, studies have shown it is also possible to get the virus by sharing notes or straws when snorting drugs.
The Hepatitis C Trust is raising awareness during the party season of the hidden danger of cocaine.
It is of growing concern to the charity and health professionals across Scotland.
Dr John Dillon, consultant gastroenterologist and hepatologist for NHS Tayside said, “Hepatitis C infection can be caught through many forms of blood contact, including snorting drugs.
“It may cause no symptoms so that the person passing it on or the person receiving it will have no warning that they are at risk until years later when they develop liver failure or cancer.
“It is very important to reduce these risks now.”
Tayside Police’s top drugs officer, Detective Inspector Stuart Holmes, has cautioned that cocaine is “easily available” in Scotland.
He said that the falling price of the class A drug had made it available to all sections of society—echoed by Detective Superintendent Willie McColl of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency.
Figures show that cocaine use in Tayside has soared over the last year.
A 15-year-old was among the 208 people arrested for possession last year—a surge of more than 40% on the previous year.
Hepatitis C is known as a silent killer as it can be undetected for 20 years, and Tayside has recorded a 75% increase in six years.
Drugs that are inhaled like cocaine are corrosive and can make the inside of a user’s nose bleed.
Spots of blood can fall on to the note or straw and, if used by someone else, blood can travel up their nose and into their bloodstream.
Hepatitis C attacks the liver. Early symptoms are normally mild, like tiredness and feeling low, but it can cause cancer, organ failure and even death.
Hepatitis C can be treated, but the medication is strong and involves injections.
Trust Scottish officer Petra Wright said, 50,000 people have the virus in Scotland, but half of them are undiagnosed.
“If any of these people share straws to snort cocaine over the party season, they could unwittingly pass on this cancer-causing virus.”
She added, “The Scottish Government figures released in October confirm that there are thought to be 100,000 recreational users of cocaine.
“They may not even consider themselves to be drug users and will be unaware of the danger to themselves and others.
“The Hepatitis C Trust’s What Not To Share campaign raises awareness about how you can protect yourself from contracting the virus.
“People should not share anything where there is even the smallest amount of blood contact, such as straws for snorting, razors, toothbrushes and any kind of drug-injecting equipment.”
