Although the results have not yet been officially revealed, spot checks by members of the Home Affairs department are expected to show that the class A drug is ‘widely used’, especially among men aged between 26 and 40.
Swabs were taken from toilet cisterns in some licensed premises during the operation and the results have prompted a call for Jersey to introduce a cocaine campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of using the drug.
It is understood that the campaign could involve asking pubs and clubs to slope the back of their toilets to stop people using a flat surface to snort the drug.
Speaking to the JEP about the survey, which also involved interviews with around 100 Islanders, Michael Gafoor, director of the Alcohol and Drugs Service, said: ‘This survey represents a snapshot of cocaine use in Jersey. It indicates that the drug is widely used recreationally, especially by men aged 26–40.’
