There’s been an enormous increase in people presenting with problem cocaine use, according to Tipperary based Aiséirí which is one of the country’s primary drug treatment centres.
New data published by the Health Research Board found cocaine use accounted for 40 per cent of drug treatment cases in the country last year.
In total, there were 13,295 people treated for problem drug use in Ireland last year – the highest annual number recorded ever.
Sara Cassidy Head of Clinical Services at Cahir based Aiséirí says there’s an increasing trend of cocaine use amongst people in rural areas.
“We’ve seen an enormous increase in people presenting with cocaine as their primary issue for admission. And its becoming very evident that its from all walks of life from anywhere in Ireland. And we would have had and noticed quite a rural difficulty in regards to cocaine specifically around the farming community.
“Its coming from all genders and all walks of life in Ireland no doubt.”
