Cocaine will not cure coronavirus.
That's the message the French government has been forced to send the public to debunk rumours a little blow can beat the deadly COVID-19 disease.
Thousands of Twitter users have shared fake breaking news images alleging cocaine "kills coronavirus".
"Scientists discover how a Class A drug can eradicate an epidemic," one headline reads.
"Scientists is shocked to discover that this drug can fight the virus [sic]," another says.
The fake news alerts have been shared so many times the French Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has taken action.
"No, Cocaine does NOT protect against # COVID19," the ministry warned on Twitter.
"It's an addictive drug that causes serious side effects that are harmful to people's health."
The claim has also been flagged as false on Facebook, with fact-checking site Politifact rating it "pants on fire".
"If there were a cure for the novel coronavirus, we wouldn't count on it being a stimulant like cocaine," it says.
"There is still no cure for the coronavirus."
The spread of COVID-19 has fueled the spread of misinformation around the world.
Hucksters have claimed a bleach solution known as 'Miracle Mineral Solution' can cure the coronavirus - as well as cancer, arthritis, diabetes and autism.
And a US-based vodka company has urged its customers not to use the spirit as a hand sanitiser replacement as it doesn't contain enough alcohol to work effectively.
