A study has revealed that 56,000 people are estimated to be using both crack cocaine and opiate-based prescription drugs in London.

The latest figures discovered by Public Health England has shown a sharp increase in users across the capital, over 6,000 in four years.

The report on the estimated users across each region of England, aged between 15 and 64 years old.

Worryingly, these figures don’t even include anyone using cocaine in powder form, amphetamines, ecstasy or cannabis.

Waltham Forest has 1,440 users recorded from the survey between 2016 and 2017, the highest number is Tower Hamlets a total of 3,244 people.

UKAT’s CEO and former addict Eytan Alexander, said: “Public Health England’s data clearly shows that an alarming number of teenagers and young adults are addicted to these incredibly potent substances.

“They’re seeking the feeling of euphoria at pocket money prices- crack rocks can be purchased for as little as a fiver with dealers available any time of day at the click of a button.

“Teenagers misusing crack and opiates at such an early age will not only suffer with the physical effects of the drugs, but the drugs could impact their education, overall achievement in life and expose them to a criminal environment at a young age.

“Without full understanding of the risks and consequences of their actions.”

The number of users across London boroughs aged only 15- currently stands at almost 9,000 and is of particular concern to the addiction expert team at UKAT.

The number of people living across the London boroughs aged only 15-24 and using opiates and/or crack cocaine currently stands at almost 9,000 and is of particular concern to the addiction expert team at UKAT;

“Public Health England’s data clearly shows that an alarming number of teenagers and young adults are addicted to these incredibly potent substances.

“They’re seeking the feeling of euphoria at pocket money prices- crack rocks can be purchased for as little as a fiver with dealers available any time of day at the click of a button.

“Teenagers misusing crack and opiates at such an early age will not only suffer with the physical effects of the drugs, but the drugs could impact their education, overall achievement in life and expose them to a criminal environment at a young age, without full understanding of the risks and consequences of their actions” suggests UKAT’s CEO and former addict Eytan Alexander.

It’s not just the younger population of London addicted to crack and opiates. The number of people recorded as using crack and opiates aged 25-34 stands at 12,874 with a further 34,369 people hooked aged 35-64.

Mr Alexander added: “The impact of a person misusing these drugs in later life has a knock-on effect on their family, children, spouses as well as their own personal health, which will deteriorate at a much faster pace if drug use continues, and for some, will prove fatal.”

If you would like to are seeking help with drug addiction, visit www.ukat.co.uk