Cocaine use in Ireland is continuing to increase across all sections of society, according to a major new study published today.
An Overview of Cocaine Use in Ireland IIfound that treatment for cocaine abuse, arrests and seizures have risen dramatically in recent years.
Cocaine use in Ireland is continuing to increase across all sections of society
The report prepared by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD) and the National Drugs Strategy Team found:
- Treatment for cocaine use between 1998 and 2003 increased between three and four-fold annually.
- The number of cocaine-related offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act rose from 180 in 2000 to 1,224 in 2005.
- Garda seizures of cocaine increased from 206 in 2000 to 968 in 2005, and Customs seizures went up from 12 in 2000 to 67 in 2004.
- Hospital In-Patient Enquiry (HIPE) data show that the number of incidences of cocaine-related diagnosis in hospitals increased from 54 in 2000 to 222 in 2004.
There was also a "marked" increase in the number of drivers who tested positive for cocaine.
Speaking today, Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy Noel Ahern said the risks associated with cocaine use were alarming.
"Cocaine is particularly dangerous when combined with alcohol and other substances and these real dangers associated with its use have been highlighted in this report," Mr Ahern said.
He expressed particular concern about so-called recreational users, the majority of whom are aged between 15 and 34.
"Many of these are likely to develop health problems in the longer term, and it is important to get credible and unambiguous health promotion and harm reduction messages to this group. At the same time, we must emphasise that treatment is available and is effective," the Minister of State said.
The NACD chairman, Dr Des Corrigan, emphasised that the study published today was much more comprehensive than on carried out in 2003. He said although cocaine affected all sections of society, the impact on some communities was more severe.
Dr Corrigan said: "Communities are experiencing the consequences in terms of sharp increases in public disturbance, noise, intimidation and violence.
"Individuals are experiencing the consequences in terms of disrupted personal relationships, reduced productivity, loss of employment and income, as well as physical and/or mental ill-health."
He also noted that heroin users were also using cocaine, and that "polydrug" use is common among users.
Among the report's recommendations was the development of non-drug-specific treatments and cocaine-specific clinics.
It also called for further training of frontline staff; greater Garda action within communities and increasing awareness of the dangers of drug use and the availablity of treatment.
More specific figures are due to be published in the Autumn in the All-Ireland Drug Prevalence Survey.
Fine Gael's Damien English said the "seven-fold explosion in cocaine-related offences ... requires a co-ordinated response from the gardaí, the Government and communities".
He also accused Taoiseach of being in denial about the seriousness of the problem. Last week Mr Ahern told the Dail that he did not "believe all our young people are either drinking or on drugs or that every community is riddled with drugs".