IRISH IN TOP FIVE FOR USE OF COCAINE

IRELAND is fourth in Europe for cocaine use, but there has been little
change in the number of people using the deadly drug on a regular
basis in the past five years.

Yesterday, chairman of the National Advisory Committee on Drugs Des
Corrigan said that, in a European context, our drug prevalence ranking
has remained broadly the same since 2002/3.

But we are in the top five for using so-called "harder drugs" than our
neighbours.

Ireland ranks seventh out of 19 for cannabis use across the EU, but
fourth for amphetamines, fourth for cocaine and third for both ecstasy
and LSD.

Increased

Although the number of people reporting use of illegal drugs has
increased, it has kept broadly in line with increased consumption
rates across the EU.

"Most people in Ireland have never used an illicit drug," Dr Corrigan
said. "In relation to current use (in the past month), figures
continue to be low, showing little change since 2002/3."

He added that when drug consumption in the previous month was taken
into account, the figure had decreased, from 3pc to 2.9pc.

In a European context, Ireland was not at the top of the league table
for any drug category, and had "marginally lower" prevalence rates
than our northern counterparts.

Across the EU, the Danes smoke the most cannabis, with 36.5pc of those
surveyed reporting they had tried it. England and Wales top the poll
for all other drugs..

Last night, Drugs Minister Pat Carey said he was concerned about the
growing problem, and that an extensive public information campaign --
especially aimed at teenagers -- would be undertaken to help warn of
the dangers of drug abuse.

The number of treatment places would be increased from 23, at present,
to 44, and a total of 127 bed spaces to treat people with drug and
alcohol addiction problems would be provided under the Programme for
Government.

But Sinn Fein and Fine Gael said the National Drugs Strategy was "not
working", and there was an "urgent need" for a cocaine awareness campaign.