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Birmingham drug-dealers have resorted to packing their class A drugs in RE-USABLE packaging amid concerns over the environment.

Drug pushers have reportedly taken to packing narcotics in eco-friendly containers.

Dealers are using plastic pods customers can return and refill in a move akin to supermarket Bags for Life.

One drug user in the city told Metro how he initially thought his dealer was joking when given one.

Typically, drug users would receive their narcotics in anything from ziploc bags to greaseproof paper.

Dealers are also known to use cling film.

Baffled, he admitted: "I was given a gram of cocaine in this plastic pod thing and my dealer said they were not serving up in plastic ziploc bags or wraps any more.

"He said that I could bring it back if I wanted to and he would refill it and that it would be better for the environment.

"I thought he was joking but he was serious, he reckoned they used so many plastic baggies and paper and a reusable container would be easier than wrapping up individual wraps.

"I told him I was not bothered about the environment and surely cocaine itself can’t be that be eco-friendly but he reckoned he had a load of hipster customers and they loved it."

The latest figures from the Home Office have revealed that a total of 2 kg of cocaine was seized by police in the region in 2016-17.

That’s enough for 40,000 doses of cocaine - or around one 50 mg dose for every 71 people living in the West Midlands.

It’s a comparatively low amount of cocaine seized in comparison to the population, however.

A total of 987 kg of the Class A drug was seized across England - the equivalent of 19.7 million doses, or one for every three people in the country.

A further 4,503 kg of cocaine, or 90 million doses, were seized by the UK Border Force from people attempting to smuggle it into the country.

In the West Midlands, only cannabis outstripped cocaine in terms of how much was seized by police, which is unsurprising considering it is the most commonly used illicit drug throughout the world.

A total of 58 kg of herbal cannabis, 2 kg of cannabis resin and 34,604 cannabis plants were taken in by police in the region.

The next most seized drug in the West Midlands after marijuana and cocaine was heroin, with 2 kg confiscated by police in the area last year - one 100 mg dose for every 142 people in the area.

While the quantities of drugs seized in an area don’t always reflect the amount of drugs being taken, they give a good indication of their popularity.

How does cocaine make people feel?

The drug can lead to overconfidence that could cause people to take risks.

It also provides energy, and a temporary feeling of euphoria as it blocks the brain's normal re-absorption of hormones, which are involved in desire and pleasure. It also gives users a 'comedown', much like depression.

How does cocaine affect your health?

Cocaine can lead to death in the worst cases.

It overstimulates the heart and nervous system, which can cause a heart attack. It's even worse when taken with alcohol.

The drug is more risky if people have high blood pressure.

When pregnant, cocaine can harm the baby.

It can also lead to mental health problems, such as depression and psychosis, as well as physical issues such as nasal problems and tissue and vein damage.

It can literally rot away flesh in some cases.

How addictive is it?

Obviously, the harmful effects of cocaine increase the more users abuse it.

The drug is incredibly addictive and can cause a very strong psychological dependence.

For more advice or guidance, visit the Talk to Frank website.