HOSPITAL admissions of pensioners after they took cocaine — including one in their 90s — are up 41 per cent in a year.

Health service statistics obtained by The Sun show 1,016 “silver snorters” sought medical help in the 12 months to March.

Hard drugs on a black table.
Hospital admissions of pensioners after they took cocaine — including one in their 90s — are up 41 per cent in a year Credit: Getty
An elderly male patient lies in a hospital bed with a pulse oximeter on his finger and a blood pressure cuff on his arm.
Health service statistics obtained by The Sun show 1,016 ‘silver snorters’ sought medical help in the 12 months to March Credit: Getty

That is up from 723 the year before and six times the 164 a decade ago.

This year’s tally included 76 aged 75 to 79, 18 in their 80s, plus one in their 90s.

Most were admitted for harmful use, while 156 were treated for longer-lasting addictions and eight for psychosis — half of them aged 85 to 89.

Cannabis cases among the over-65s rose 27 per cent to 3,810.

Admissions linked to rose 17 per cent to 4,681.

While cocaine cases across all ages rose 17 per cent, among the over-65s they climbed more than twice as fast.

Zaheen Ahmed, at drug addiction experts UKAT, said: “There are a number of factors that may be driving this trend.

“Some people experiment with cocaine later in life because they have more disposable income, fewer family responsibilities, and more free time.

“Others may be using it as a way to cope with loneliness, bereavement, or mental health challenges that can come with ageing.

“The most important message is help is out there.”