Significant increase in young people treated for cocaine use

There's been a 171 per cent increase in the number of young people being treated for cocaine use in Ireland.

The latest HRB (Health Research Board) report also found substance related hospitalisations are on the rise among 15-24 year olds.

The data collected from the HRB between 2011 and 2019, looked at alcohol and drug use among adolescents.

Cannabis remains the most common drug, but ecstasy and cocaine use among young people in Ireland was the second highest in Europe.

Increase in cocaine supply and demand

Speaking to Damien on Déise Today, Security Correspondent with The Irish Examiner Cormac O'Keeffe said there's been an increase in the supply of cocaine into Ireland from South America over the last four or five years.

He said over time, the likes of the Kinehan cartel in Ireland and other gangs in Europe have strengthened their ties with the South American drug gangs.

However, he added that supply is only one factor in why cocaine use is becoming more prevalent here:

The demand for the drug has also increased in Ireland and other countries in the last ten years, without a doubt. The purity of the drug has also increased, but the price has not increased, it has effectively reduced in that time period, so there's a whole range of factors that have come together.

Cormac went on to discuss how the HSE and other support groups have targeted young people ahead of festival season:

"They're trying to reach out to potential users and provide them with as much information as they can to reduce the risk and to urge them to seek medical support as soon as they need it," he said.