Cocaine treatment rises 900% over seven years

THERE has been a 900% increase in the number of cocaine addicts being treated in Ireland over the last seven years, according to new figures.

Cocaine is the only drug where there has been a continuous rise in treatment since 1999.

Statistics obtained by the Irish Examiner from the Health Research Board show the number of people either entering treatment or returning to treatment and reporting cocaine as their main problem drug has steadily risen.