Huge increase in cocaine use, says report

COCAINE use in the eastern region has more than doubled between 1998 and 2002, new figures show.

Treatment for cocaine grew faster than for any other drug in Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow, a report to be published today says.

The study reports that 1,481 people received help for cocaine use in 2002, compared to 461 in 1998, a rise of 220%.