Trends in treated problem cocaine use in Ireland, 2002 to 2007.

Author(s):

Delphine Bellerose, Anne Marie Carew, Suzi Lyons, Jean Long

Publication date:

1 September 2009

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Abstract:

The data presented in this paper describe trends in treated problem cocaine use in Ireland between 2002 and 2007. The paper describes treated problem cocaine use in relation to person, place and time. The analysis presented is based on data reported to the National Drug Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS). It is important to note that the NDTRS collects data on episodes of treatment in a calendar year, rather than on the individual person treated. This means that individuals may appear in the figures more than once if they receive treatment at more than one centre or at the same centre more than once per year.

The main findings and their implications are:

• One-fifth (10,764) of all cases treated for problem drug use between 2002 and 2007 reported cocaine as a problem substance. The annual number of cocaine cases increased by 177%, from 954 in 2002 to 2,643 in 2007. This increase was in line with increases in cocaine seizures, in cocaine use among the general population and in cocaine-related deaths during the same time period.
• The number of cases who reported cocaine as their main problem substance increased by 502%, from 128 in 2002 to 770 in 2007. The number of cases who reported cocaine as an additional problem substance increased by 128%, from 826 in 2002 to 1,885 in 2007.

Publisher:

Health Research Board

Place of publication:

Dublin

ISSN number:

20090250

HRB Series:

HRB Trends Series

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