Successive government policies have damaged the country’s poorest communities and undermined local structures to combat the drugs crisis, according to new research.

USE of crack cocaine, steroids and over-the-counter medication is emerging as a new problem across the country, according to a new report.

SOME 20% of people across the country have taken illegal drugs in their lifetime, but only 3% are classified as regular users, the most comprehensive survey of narcotics use ever carried out has revealed.