Middle-class drug users who police chiefs have claimed are fuelling violent crime face a crackdown when the home secretary, Sajid Javid, launches a major review of drug misuse on Tuesday.
Outlining its first serious violence strategy earlier this year, the government highlighted strong evidence that illicit drugs markets can drive sudden shifts in violence such as knife and gun crime.
The Metropolitan police commissioner, Cressida Dick, is among police chiefs who have criticised middle-class cocaine users who care about fair trade and organic food but are fuelling the drug trade.
Cocaine was used by an estimated 875,000 people in 2017-18, according to the latest crime survey for England and Wales -- the highest number in a decade and a 15% year-on-year rise.
In his speech to the Tory party conference in Birmingham, Javid will attempt to boost his leadership credentials with a tough message on drugs.
