Fears at revival in stronger cocaine and ecstasy

A buoyant European cocaine market and a revival in ecstasy, with both drugs increasingly potent, is posing greater risks to users.

A warning from an EU drugs agency emerged as recent Irish figures show a 90% jump in new cocaine treatment cases since 2012.

Furthermore, the HSE last week issued warnings about the circulation of high strength MDMA (ecstasy) tablets following two deaths at a music festival in the UK and as the festival season kicks off in Ireland.