Cocaine use doubles in Ireland, survey reveals

NEARLY 60,000 people have taken cocaine within the last year — more that twice the number of people in 2003, according to a population survey published yesterday.

An analysis of the survey shows that 15,000 people took the drug within the last month, nearly double the number five years ago.

A total of 700,000 people between the ages of 15 and 64 — almost a third of that age group — have taken a drug at some stage in their lives. This compares with 500,000 people in 2003.