Ad reveals dangers of cocaine use

The adverts highlight the health risks of taking cocaine

Online music listeners are being warned of the the risks of cocaine as part of a campaign targeting young people.

The Scottish government ads will appear on the music streaming website Spotify to coincide with a cinema advert.

It will be shown across Scotland from Friday in efforts to reach people aged between 16 to 22, as part of the government's Know the Score initiative.

The advert shows the different effects taking cocaine can have, including stroke, paranoia and chest pain.

Community Safety Minster Fergus Ewing said: "Many people think that occasional cocaine use is harmless but the fact is it's highly addictive and extremely dangerous.

"That's why this Know the Score awareness campaign is so important.

"As well as being an illegal drug, the health consequences of using cocaine are not worth the risk."

Louise Macdonald, chief executive of Young Scot, the national youth information agency, said: "Any campaign which seeks to support young people to make informed decisions and choices is to be welcomed.

"At Young Scot we believe that providing young people with accurate information is crucially important, but it is also vital to support and connect young people to accessible and positive activities, which strengthens those positive decisions."