ALL over-the-counter pain medications containing the “Hillbilly heroin” drug codeine should be made prescription-only to block the continuing rise in addictions to the narcotic, a leading expert has said.

Drug support services say they are not surprised by revelations that cocaine use now crosses all sections of Irish society.

A NEW drug to treat heroin addiction, which arrived on the Irish market yesterday, is not being given out for free under the medical card or any drug treatment scheme.