Exeter uni tests positive for cocaine

Tests carried out by students have found traces of cocaine in 11 locations at Exeter University.

Student newspaper Exepose tested 17 premises across the university campus and found evidence of cocaine use in academic and recreational areas.

Testing wipes of the sort used by police were used to test flat surfaces in toilet cubicles. The wipes turn blue when traces of the class A drug are detected.

The paper said that this exposes ‘the prevalence of cocaine on campus, showing that its use extends beyond nights out to academic buildings, the Library and…the University’s administrative hub’.

However, a university spokesman said: "The university is a big place so we would be naive to think that some drug use doesn't go on.

"However, there is nothing to suggest to either us, the Students' Guild or the police that use of hard drugs like cocaine is widespread amongst students.”

He also stressed that action would be taken against any students caught taking drugs.

Premises that tested positive for cocaine included the Lemmy music venue, students’ bar The Ram, and administrative centre Northcote House, as well as the library, Physics building and the Northcott Theatre.