Alan Kelly
Ceist:1617. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the Department’s policy on cocaine abuse in Ireland. [33968/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMonday, 9 September 2024
Ceisteanna (1617)
Freagraí scríofa
Cocaine is a controlled substance specified under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, as amended. Information on cocaine use, including its short-term effects, long-term effects, other dangers and help available is available here: www.drugs.ie/drugtypes/drug/cocaine
The National Drug Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS) is the national surveillance system that records and reports on cases of drug treatment in Ireland each year. The 2023 report showed that, 13,104 cases* were treated for problem drug use. This is the highest annual number recorded and an increase of more than one thousand cases compared to 2022. Almost four-in-ten cases had never been treated before. Cocaine was the most common drug reported, accounting for one-in-three cases followed by opioids (mainly heroin), cannabis and benzodiazepines.
In 2023, 4,923 cases were recorded with cocaine as a main problem. Over the period 2017 to 2023, there was a 228% increase in the number of cases where cocaine was the main problem drug. Powder cocaine increased by 197% during this time, and crack cocaine increased by 594%.
Cocaine remains the most common main drug among new cases in 2023, accounting for almost half (46%) of new cases.
For previously treated cases, cocaine accounted for one-in-three cases, the highest number recorded to date.
Socio-demographic characteristics varied depending on the type of cocaine used:
• Between 2017 and 2023 there was a 388% increase among females who have sought drug treatment for cocaine, from 284 cases in 2017 to 1,387 cases in 2023.
• For cases with powder cocaine as the main problem, more than one-in-five were female, two-in-five were employed, and the median age entering treatment was 31 years.
• For cases with crack cocaine as the main problem, nearly half were female, just over one-in-20 were employed, and the median age was 39 years.
An estimated €163 million will be provided to the HSE in 2024 for the provision of addiction services. An interactive map of over 400 publicly-funded drug treatment and drug-related family support services is available at Services Map (drugsandalcohol.ie).
In Budget 2024, an additional €6m was allocated to expand the provision of drug and alcohol services. This includes services for people with alcohol addiction, people under 18 years, families affected by drugs, as well as rehabilitation and recovery programmes.
This investment will expand community-based drug and alcohol services, ensure the sustainability, and increase the capacity of residential treatment services, mitigate the impact of drugs on children, families and communities and strengthen drug monitoring and harm reduction.
In response to increased prevalence of cocaine in 2022, €850,000 in additional funding was provided for an HSE-led initiative to reduce the health-related harms from cocaine and ‘crack’ cocaine. The funding supports models of best practice in cocaine treatment, including the development of training programmes for addiction service staff nationally. It also provided for the establishment of targeted interventions in disadvantaged communities worst affected by cocaine and ‘crack’ cocaine. See:
www.gov.ie/en/press-release/12fa3-minister-for-public-health-wellbeing-and-the-national-drugs-strategy-announces-850000-for-hse-led-initiative-to-reduce-the-health-related-harms-from-cocaine-and-crack-cocaine/
In 2023 additional funding of €500,000 was allocated to expand the provision of community-based services for cocaine and crack cocaine. This funding has provided for a geographical spread of cocaine services in each CHO. See:
www.gov.ie/en/press-release/ec075-minister-for-public-health-wellbeing-and-the-national-drugs-strategy-announces-increased-funding-of-500000-for-cocaine-services/
I would encourage anyone with concerns regarding their drug use, or that of a family member or friend, to seek support from their GP, treatment services or to contact the drug and alcohol helpline on 1800 459 459 which provides support, information, and guidance for anyone with concerns.