Coke treatment second highest on Leeside
Cork is not within the top 4 regions in the country for individuals seeking treatment for crack cocaine addiction according to new figures.
However, Cork has consistently registered as the second highest county in the country from 2016-2022 for people being treated for powder cocaine as their main addiction. Crack cocaine is a more addictive form of the drug and can be smoked, delivering more immediately felt effects.
The figures are part of a Health Research Board (HRB) report into drug treatment demand in Ireland which found that cocaine is the most common drug for which individuals are seeking treatment.
The research found that 12,009 cases were treated for problem drug use in Ireland in 2022 with cocaine accounting for one in 3 cases. This was followed by opioids (mainly heroin). Cannabis was the third most common drug reported, followed by benzodiazepines.
In 2022, there were 260 cases of people being treated for cocaine as their main addiction in Cork, the second highest in Ireland. At the top of the list was Dublin with 2,204 cases. However, crack cocaine cases resided mostly in Dublin, Kildare, Meath, and Limerick.
In 2022, powder cocaine accounted for almost 8 in every 10 treated cocaine cases in the country, while 2 in 10 were crack cocaine. For cases with powder cocaine as the main problem drug, nearly 8 in 10 were male and 4 in 10 were employed. Half of cases entering treatment for powder cocaine were 30 years or younger.
Commenting on the key findings in the report, HRB Chief Executive, Dr Mairéad O’Driscoll, said: “Our latest data provides insights into the patterns observed in drug treatment. Like last year, we are seeing an increase in cocaine as a problem drug. This year, it has surpassed opioids. The data we have collated will support practices in relation to treatment as well as underpinning action on preventative measures.”
Dr Anne Marie Carew, Research Officer at the HRB, added: “There has been a considerable rise in the number seeking treatment for cocaine use in recent years. This is the result of the rise in use of cocaine as well as an increase in the provision of specific services to treat cocaine use.”
Key drug treatment trends
From 2016 to 2022, the proportion of treatment demand attributable to opioids has decreased year on year, going from almost 5 in 10 cases in 2016 to 3 in 10 in 2022.
The proportion of cases that were in paid employment doubled from 1 in 10 in 2016 to 2 in 10 in 2022.
From 2016 to 2022, there was a 259% increase in the number of cases where cocaine was the main problem drug.