ATTITUDES towards drug use are changing ­— but it doesn’t make them any less dangerous.

Drugs of all natures seem to be readily available to those who want them and people who do not use them often seem prepared to turn a blind eye.

There is a distinction between those who are dependent on hard drugs such as cocaine and heroin and those who use drugs “recreationally”.

While the latter can include drugs such as cocaine, their occasional use is almost accepted in parts of society today.

But, as with the tragic death of Tara Cully, using cocaine only a few times is dangerous and can be deadly.

On a rare night out after the birth of her second child, Miss Cully had been drinking and took some cocaine.

She and her partner returned home before their children returned, but she was found collapsed and died of a heart attack.

She had no history of drug abuse and an inquest found that she effects of taking cocaine caused the fatal heart attack.

This is not someone who had become hooked on drugs.

She was a stay-at-home mum bringing up her children and who was enjoying a night out with her partner.

She had not taken large quantities of cocaine ­— probably just enough to alter her mood ­— but it had deadly consequences which will be felt by her family for the rest of their lives.