‘There are no symptoms until it’s too late’ – former addict warns cocaine users to get tested for hepatitis C

As awareness campaign is launched, Bernard West, who works for the Mater’s screening programme, has some advice for the public

‘My friend told me he had hepatitis C, I just wanted the needle off him to inject myself with crack cocaine’ – Bernard West, hep C survivor

People who snort cocaine — or have done so in the past — could have unwittingly contracted hepatitis C and should immediately get tested to avoid falling seriously ill, they have been warned.

Bernard West (48), a former intravenous drug user, was first diagnosed with hepatitis C in 2017. He has now been cured following treatment.