A Mail investigation reports that cocaine use has become increasingly common and accessible among British university students, particularly during Freshers’ week. It centres on a mother who recognised that her daughter appeared to be using cocaine during a late-night FaceTime call, highlighting concerns that many young people view the drug as relatively harmless.

A Loughborough University study of students at 54 institutions found that 24 per cent had used cocaine. A student interviewed said cocaine was widely used alongside alcohol because it helped people stay awake, socialise and manage anxiety, with roughly half a gram costing about £40; an academic warned that the drug is increasingly pure, affordable and detached from perceptions of serious addiction, despite being a Class A substance.