THE number of OAPs admitted to hospital for snorting cocaine has soared by a third in two years — with several in their 90s.
Many use the Class A drug to try to treat ailments they cannot get fixed on the NHS.
Health service statistics obtained by The Sun show 723 “silver snorters” sought medical help in the 12 months to this March.
That included 70 aged between 75 and 79, 28 in their 80s, and eight who were in their 90s.
While 156 OAPs were treated for longer-lasting addictions, others wanted treatment for withdrawal, depression or psychosis that may have been caused by cocaine use.
Pensioners made up just three per cent of the overall number treated for the highly addictive drug — which was 23,644.
But over-65 admissions are still a third more than in 2022-23, and four and a half times higher than 2014-15, when 164 of them were seen by medics.
Zaheen Ahmed of drug addiction experts UKAT said: “Some older people experiment with cocaine because they have more disposable income, fewer responsibilities, and more free time.
“Others may be using it as a way to cope with loneliness, bereavement or the mental health challenges that can come with ageing.”
He said those who used it when younger may be returning, not realising age-related health conditions and prescribed medication make it much more dangerous.
The number of OAPs admitted to hospital for snorting cocaine has soared by a third in two years — with several in their 90s[/caption]
