A hard hitting campaign showing the real effects of mixing drugs and alcohol has been launched by students at the Nottingham Trent University.

Final Year Students on the Environmental Health Degree Course from Nottingham Trent University designed the campaign in partnership with Chill Out Sound Support and the Nottingham Crime & Drugs Partnership.

Heart and Soul of the Party? highlights the effects of alcohol and cocaine, looks at the risks associated with these drugs and the chemical reaction which takes place in the body when these two drugs are taken together to produce Cocaethylene.

Public awareness of Cocaethylene and the significant health risks that Cocaethylene poses are not widely known and the aim of the campaign is to raise awareness.




Initially the campaign is being piloted to city students before it is rolled out across the city. It comprises an information leaflet designed by the students with complementary posters, which can be downloaded from this page. The students have also designed a calendar, which over the months charts the process from so-called recreational cocaine use, through problematic use into dependence.

The campaign also covers the legal penalties that are faced by anyone caught in possession of cocaine, along with advice on what help and support services are available. The initial reaction to the campaign materials has been such that the Crime and Drugs Partnership have already nominated the campaign to FRANK (the national drug helpline) as an example of innovation and best practice.

Stephen Youdell Communication Manager at the Crime and Drugs Partnership said:

"We are very pleased to be working in partnership with Nottingham Trent University students once again, the results of the students work is very impressive. The students have tackled an issue of which the general public know little and produced an outstanding selection of resources that are informative, credible and which we believe will be recognised in years to come as ground breaking. We are proud to be associated with this campaign and fully support this initiative, which we intend to distribute across the city and share with other areas of the country."

What is Cocaethylene?
Cocaethylene is produced when alcohol and cocaine is combined in the body. It hightens and intensifies the euphoric effect of cocaine, but also amplifies the depressive effect of alcohol. So, you might feel on top of the world at the start of the night, but as the evening wears on, things get progressively worse.

It puts an added strain on the body and side effects include increased aggressive behaviour or getting into vulnerable situations. Cocaethylene also takes twice as long to be processed by the body than normal alcohol, and raises the risk of increased damage to the liver and other parts of the body.

Why do some people mix alcohol and cocaine?
Some users think that using cocaine means they can drink more alcohol without getting as drunk, and because the strength of alcohol in the UK is stronger, it can lead to extreme cases of binge drinking. Others appear to enjoy the hightened effects of cocaine that comes with taking alcohol, not realising the side-effects when the two are mixed.

Is it legal?
On its own, alcohol is completely legal when enjoyed responsibly. Cocaine, however is a Class A drug and is illegal to possess, give away or sell. Anyone caught possessing cocaine could get up to seven years in prison, while selling it, even to your friends could result in a life sentence and unlimited fine. fNewDL PosterVersion web.pdf