Drugs centre reports 500% increase in crack-cocaine addicts

Now the government plans to develop a nationwide awareness strategy about the dangers of the drug. A report from the Health Research Board (HRB) two weeks ago revealed that drug dealers have begun distributing crack cocaine throughout the Dublin region. It was the first official recognition that the drug is easily available in the capital.

Researchers found that "rocks" of crack were being sold in €50 or €100 quantities and revealed several of the "marketing initiatives" used by dealers, such as encouraging heroin users to switch to crack cocaine by claiming there is a heroin drought, creating party packs where crack is sold in combination with heroin, cocaine, ecstasy or cannabis and targeting users outside methadone clinics.

Crack users, who were interviewed by researchers, said their spend ranged from €200 a week up to €11,000 on a two-day binge. A €50 rock is generally described as half the size of a thumbnail and could be enough for four pipes but the drug can also be injected.

Susan Collins, co-ordinator of Addiction Response Crumlin (ARC), said the report reflected the new type of drug users at Dublin treatment centres.

"In the past 12 months, we've had a 500% increase in people coming to us with a crack cocaine problem. Crack is now here to stay. It's never arrived in any other country and they've been able to get rid of if. It's much more addictive than powder cocaine and much cheaper," she said.

A conference will take place in Croke Park next January between the national drugs agencies to develop a clear plan of action and strategy in dealing with the growing problem of crack cocaine.

"It's easily available in Dublin and will probably spread now throughout the country. Right now, we have to get the information out there about how dangerous and addictive this drug is. This report needs to be a wake-up call or we'll see a problem developing similar to the heroin epidemic."

The minster with responsibility for the drugs strategy, John Curran, said that while crack cocaine was still a "minority drug" here, the government was concerned about its potential to become a widespread problem. "We have a huge job to do in terms of education and awareness to keep crack cocaine out of general population use," he told the Sunday Tribune.

Source: Ali Bracken , Sunday Tribune, 17/11/2008