Bristol has the highest number of crack cocaine and heroin users in the south west - with the drugs available at 'pocket money prices' - new figures have revealed.
The figures, released by Public Health England, show there are an estimated 4,943 people aged between 15 and 64 using both crack cocaine and opiates like heroin, and opiate-based prescription drugs in the city.
The research shows 'crack rocks' can be bought for as little as £5 with a plethora of dealers ready to supply at any time of day.
The report - analysed by concerned addiction treatment experts at UKAT - reveals that almost 30,000 people estimated to be using both crack cocaine and opiates like heroin and opiate-based prescription drugs live across the south west, a figure that has risen by more than 2,000 in just five years.
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Worryingly, the figures don’t even include anyone using cocaine in powder form, amphetamines, ecstasy or cannabis.
The data is based on users identified across the south west between March 2016 and March 2017.
The neighbouring authority area of North Somerset - home to a number of rehabilitation centres, recovery services and dry houses in Weston-super-Mare, has 1249 users while in Bath and North East Somerset there are 1073 users.
In South Gloucestershire, PHE estimates there to be 1236 users of both types of drug.
The number of people living across the south west aged only 15-24 and using opiates and/or crack cocaine currently stands at over 2,400 and is of particular concern to the addiction expert team at UKAT.
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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."
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The research also reveals it is not just the younger population of the south west addicted to crack and opiates.
The number of people recorded as using crack and opiates aged 25-34 stands at 7,777 with a further 18,237 people hooked aged 35-64.
