Coroner: Cocaine biggest killer in drug-related deaths

SAYING he presided over 26 cocaine-related deaths in 2007, the Dublin County Coroner yesterday issued a stark warning to people about the dangers of using drugs, including cocaine, which he termed “by far the biggest killer” of all.

Cocaine toxicity was the most common cause of death in more than half of all inquests into drug-related deaths heard at Dublin County Coroner’s Court this year, Dr Kieran Geraghty said.

Of the 47 inquests into drug-related deaths heard at the court in 2007, 26 of them were cocaine related, 16 were heroin related and five were ecstasy related.