COCAINE USERS UNDERESTIMATE RISKS, SAYS STUDY

COCAINE is a "fun" and "feel-good" drug which users take with their
friends, research has revealed.

But most users say they are suffering financially and many admit
cocaine is affecting their relationships.

The survey shows cocaine users "greatly underestimate" the health and
personal risks from the drug.

The research contradicts the perception that drugs are "pushed" on
young people, with the vast majority getting cocaine from friends.

The survey is being published today to coincide with the launch of
the National Drugs Awareness Campaign, which this year is focusing
exclusively on cocaine.

The research shows:

The two main reasons cocaine users take the drug is for fun (80%) and
it makes them feel good (48%).

Most cocaine users get their cocaine from friends (83%) and 15% have
been asked to supply a colleague.

Cocaine is a social habit -- 91% of people take it with friends or
other people and 67% buy it for themselves and their friends, with
33% saying they buy it for their own use only.

One in four say their cocaine use has a negative impact on
relationships and three in four say it has a negative effect on finances.

The campaign is being conducted by the Health Service Executive and
will be launched today by drugs strategy minister Pat Carey.

He told the Irish Examiner he favoured "a hard-hitting" approach to
highlight the dangers from cocaine and the criminal underworld that
supplies the drug to users.

"Hard-hitting ads on radio and television are necessary. It's crucial
people understand the dangers of dabbling or experimenting with
cocaine," said Mr Carey.

A HSE source said the campaign would "dispel the popular myth that
cocaine is a recreational and social drug, which is clean and somehow
less harmful than opiates".