Life on Mars

[chimney]

I didn't think Cocaine was a problem in this country until the 80's, but seeing as this series has been accurate so far..... How widespread was it?

[andy-hughes]

I thought that when I started watching. At the time this series is set, cocaine was strictly a rich person's drug - it had to be, they were the only people who could afford it!

It is only in the last five years or so that the street value of heroin and cocaine has reduced enough for it to be available, and therefore a problem, for the addict-in-the-street - in 1973, it would be virtually unkown outside Chelsea and Knightsbridge.

[EssJay1]

But it is related to Sam's knowledge, so maybe he influenced the choice of drug somehow.

'I appreciate what you're saying about the facts usually being accurate. It is a blindingly good series, so I'm prepared to give it a bit of leeway with regard to things like this. Aren't you?

[SeaJayPea]

Do bear in mind that Sherlock Holmes, albeit fictional, was using cocaine a hundred years ago.