A new Health Research Board report suggests that problem cocaine use here has almost doubled in six years, which coincides with the recovery of the economy.
Cocaine now accounts for 17% of all problematic drug use.
Responding to the findings, Dublin addiction specialist GP, Dr. Garrett McGovern, says: “There’s no doubt that there’s an increase in people presenting for treatment since the economy improved. It’s not just an affluent person’s drug, though. Crack cocaine is decimating many poorer communities, and the reasons for use are not usually recreational but to help people cope with often dire life circumstances. Also huge drug debts accrue with sometimes tragic consequences.”
Having reviewed 8,922 problem drug use cases, the report shows opiates at 42% to be the biggest problem followed by cannabis at 25%, cocaine at 17% and benzodiazepines at 10%.
The gender breakdown is 72% male/27% female, with 30% saying they’ve at some point injected drugs. 37% are new cases and 10% of respondents identify as being homeless.
Unemployment is also a significant factor, with only 17% in full or part-time work.
Hot Press will shortly be publishing the Irish findings of the 2019 Global Drug Survey, which will shed further light on our pharmaceutical habits.

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— Drugsdotie (@drugsdotie) April 17, 2019