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Let's Talk About Charlie An RCA Trust service

New reportScotland's 2025 drug-death figures are out — deaths rose 11%, and cocaine was involved in more than half. See the numbers →

Cocaine help & harm reduction · Scotland · RCA Trust

Where are you coming from?

This site has different things for different people. Tell us who you are and we'll take you straight to what matters.

Is something happening right now? They've collapsed, they're fitting, or you can't wake them — start here.
Parents & Families

I'm worried about someone.

Something feels off — their behaviour, mood, money, or routine. We'll help you read the signs, plan the conversation, and figure out what to do next. You don't need to be certain to call us.

Young People

I want the facts. No lecture.

Using, thinking about it, or worried about a mate? Here's what cocaine really does, what's in it, and how to stay safer if you're going to use. Straight up. No judgement.

People Who Use

I use cocaine. I want to stay safer.

You decide what changes — if anything. We give you what you need to make safer choices and to spot a pattern forming. Support is there on your terms, when you're ready.

Your path

For parents & families: start here

You don't need to be certain. Here's the order most families find useful.

Choose a different path
  1. Read the signsWhat changes actually look like — and what they don’t mean.
  2. Know what you’re looking atThe forms it comes in, and what paraphernalia looks like.
  3. Plan the conversationWhat to say, what not to say, and what to do if they shut down.
  4. Take the family check-inTwo minutes, anonymous — should you act now, or watch and wait?
  5. Know what to do in an emergencyWorth reading now, so you’re not reading it at 3am.
  6. Hear from other familiesYou’re not the first person to feel this way.
  7. Talk to usFree and confidential. You don’t need to be certain to call.

Your path

For young people: start here

Straight facts, in the order that makes sense. No lecture.

Choose a different path
  1. What cocaine actually isForms, street names, how it’s taken.
  2. Coke + drink = a third drugCocaethylene — the risk most people don’t know about.
  3. What it does to your bodyHeart, brain, nose, mind — system by system.
  4. What it’s really cut withThe stuff you can’t see or taste.
  5. If you’re going to use, use saferPractical steps that lower the risk.
  6. If a mate’s in troubleWhen to call 999 and what to do while you wait.
  7. Check in with yourselfTwo minutes, anonymous, nothing stored.
  8. Talk to someoneFree, confidential, no judgement.

Your path

For people who use: start here

Safety first. You decide what changes — if anything.

Choose a different path
  1. Use saferNaloxone, testing, dosing, and not using alone.
  2. Know what to do if it goes wrongFor you, or for whoever you’re with.
  3. Nitazenes — read this oneWhy people who only do coke are most at risk right now.
  4. Coke + drinkWhy the two together hit harder.
  5. What’s in the bagWhat’s turning up in Scotland’s supply.
  6. If you want to cut downCravings, triggers, and what actually works.
  7. Check in with yourselfTwo minutes, anonymous, nothing stored.
  8. Support on your termsNo requirement to stop first.

Not sure where to start? Browse everything

Helpline 0141 887 0880 Appointments Renfrewshire · advice Scotland-wide
Mon–Fri · 9am–5pm · Free & confidential

Everything on this site

Find what you need.

Every page stands on its own, so start wherever makes sense to you. If you're not sure, pick one of the three doors above and we'll put them in order for you.

Understand

Stay safer

Cutting down

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Why this matters

The conversation Scotland has been avoiding.

Cocaine is no longer a fringe drug. It's in living rooms, group chats, and Friday nights across every postcode in Scotland. The signs are missed. The risk is misunderstood. And by the time families act, patterns are usually established.

589

Drug deaths in Scotland in 2025 involved cocaine. That's the most ever. It's up nearly a quarter in one year.

National Records of Scotland, September 2026

52%

Of all drug deaths in Scotland in 2025 involved cocaine. That's more than half. It's gone up every year: 35%, then 41%, then 47%, now 52%.

National Records of Scotland, September 2026

33%

Of people starting drug treatment in Scotland are there for powder cocaine. That's more than heroin, at 22%. Cocaine is now the main reason people walk through the door.

Public Health Scotland, RADAR, April 2026

½

Almost half the samples sent for testing in Scotland had something in them the person didn't know about. You can't tell by looking.

Public Health Scotland, RADAR quarterly report, July 2026 (WEDINOS testing, March–May 2026)

The line that matters

Cocaine's share of Scottish drug deaths

In 2025 cocaine passed half of all Scottish drug deaths for the first time. Its share has climbed every year since 2022.

Cocaine's share of Scottish drug deaths, 2022 to 2025 Rising every year: 35 percent in 2022, 41 percent in 2023, 47 percent in 2024, and 52 percent in 2025 — the first year it passed half of all drug deaths. 50% 25% 0 35% 41% 47% 52% 2022 2023 2024 2025 passed half for the first time

These figures come from National Records of Scotland. Their latest report came out on 23 September 2026 and covers 2025. We update this chart when new figures come out.

Drug deaths in Scotland had been falling for two years. In 2025 they went up again. 1,133 people died, up 11%. Two things drove it. Cocaine was involved in more than half of all deaths. And nitazenes, lab-made drugs far stronger than heroin, were in more than one in five. Men drove the rise: deaths among men went up by nearly a fifth, while deaths among women fell. The average age is now 46. Scotland still has the worst drug death rate in Europe. The progress has stalled, and cocaine is at the heart of it.

Closer to home: Renfrewshire

RCA Trust is in Paisley. Here's what the same figures say about Renfrewshire.

41

People died from drugs in Renfrewshire in 2025. That's down from 46 the year before. Every one of them was somebody's son, daughter, mum or dad.

Renfrewshire ADP, from National Records of Scotland, September 2026

54%

Of those deaths involved cocaine. That's more than half, and higher than Scotland as a whole. Cocaine deaths here haven't gone down.

Renfrewshire ADP, from National Records of Scotland, September 2026

7

Deaths in Renfrewshire involved nitazenes in 2025. That's up from 3 the year before. They're here, not just in the news.

Renfrewshire ADP, from National Records of Scotland, September 2026

8th

Highest drug death rate out of Scotland's 32 council areas, over the last five years. That's above the Scottish average.

Renfrewshire ADP, from National Records of Scotland, 2021 to 2025

Three in four deaths here involved an opioid like heroin or methadone, often alongside cocaine. People aged 45 to 54 were most at risk, then people aged 35 to 44.

These figures are up to date as of 24 September 2026. The yearly death figures come from National Records of Scotland. Their latest report came out on 23 September 2026 and covers 2025. The three-monthly figures come from Public Health Scotland's RADAR report, out in July 2026. We update this page when new figures come out.

About

Built in-house. By a charity that's been doing this work for 49 years.

Let's Talk About Charlie is a service of RCA Trust in Paisley. We've supported people with alcohol, drug and gambling addiction since 1977. Anyone can refer — including you.

How we built this — sources, reading age and accessibility → For professionals, funders and anyone checking our figures.

49

years delivering frontline addictions support

3

addictions covered — alcohol, drugs, gambling

Open

referral — anyone can refer themselves or someone else. Waiting list may apply.

PA1 1HP

8 Incle Street, Paisley — phone & in-person support

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