Sunderland Echo chief reporter Paul James joined the front line in the fight against drugs when he went to test for evidence of cocaine use in local bars and clubs.

The Echo’s investigation found positive results in all eight of the venues it visited – and traces were also found in the city magistrates’ court toilets.

Paul told HoldtheFrontPage: “We’ve done drugs investigations in the past but they have often been about heroin and other Class A drugs which are obviously a major problem.

“But there has been more coke in the country in recent years and we wanted to show that it’s not just the London ‘elite’ who are doing it; it’s spreading out to other regions.”

Preparing for testing

Paul used special wipes – similar to ones used by the police and FBI drug enforcement agencies – which turn blue when even trace amounts of cocaine react with the chemicals in them.

The wipes were used to detect coke on the backs of toilet seats and on the tops of toilet-roll holders – surfaces from which cocaine is commonly snorted.

Getting a result

Paul said: “It’s interesting that coke’s got such a glamorous image when in some cases people are sticking their heads down the loo to snort it.

“We’re not looking to apportion blame to landlords – we just wanted to show how rife it is across the city.

“Landlords have backed our investigation and all say that they will see what more they can do, but whether that’s just paper talk I don’t know.”

The Echo has been running a series of articles about the problem of cocaine in the area – including the story of children as young as 13 who are addicted to the drug.

Paul said: “From a news point of view the fact that we found traces in every bar and club made it a much stronger story.

“The police have backed our investigation and it’s something that we will keep going.”