Use of cocaine remains high despite recession

COCAINE use remains relatively high — contrary to the belief the recession had led to a slump in the consumption of the Celtic Tiger drug.

Findings from a national population survey show that usage of the drug has stabilised since the last survey was conducted four years ago, during the height of the boom.

There are indications that, while the drug has become more popular among 25 to 34 year olds, its popularity may be waning among 15 to 24 year olds.

The 2010/2011 Drug Prevalence Survey, published by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD), shows that cumulative lifetime usage of cocaine among 15 to 64 year olds has risen from 5.3% to 6.8%.

Recent (last year) and current (last month) figures are considered to provide a better picture of drug trends. Recent use stood at 1.7% in 2007, compared to 1.5% in 2011, while current use has remained the same, at 0.5%.

This means Ireland continues to be categorised as a “high prevalence” country for cocaine by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction.

NACD chairman Dr Des Corrigan said he was not surprised consumption of cocaine hadn’t really fallen with the recession.

“What was surprising was the perception it was going to be recession related,” said. “Overall, it didn’t appear to be the case.”

He said levels weren’t “particularly high”, which meant there wasn’t much margin for a drop.

“There are still very welcome seizures of cocaine by gardaí, so it’s still around,” he said. This includes a record 80kg haul last month.

NACD senior researcher Dr Justice Horgan said it was too early to say what was happening with cocaine. She said she would only “suggest” that cocaine “appeared to be less popular among 15 to 24 year olds.

The survey provided figures for the first time on use of new psychoactive substances or former head shops drugs.

This showed that 3.5% of 15 to 64 year olds took them in the last year, rising to 6.7% among 15 to 34 year olds and 9.7% among 15 to 24 year olds. These drugs were banned in 2010 and it is not clear how much their use is continuing.

Overall, the survey found:

nLifetime use of any illegal drug rose from 24% to 27%, recent usage dropped slightly from 7.2% to 7%, while current use rose slightly, from 2.9% to 3.2%.

nLifetime use of cannabis rose from 22% to 25%, recent use dropped slightly from 1.7% to 1.5%, while current use remained stable at 0.5%.

Drugs Strategy Minister Roisín Shortall said while there still a “significant drug problem” it was “heartening” to see that last year usage was stable.

lFor more see nacd.ie

Expert quits

ONE of the country’s leading experts on drugs is stepping down as the Government’s chief drugs advisory.

Dr Des Corrigan will relinquish his position as chairman of the National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD) at the end of the year.

Dr Corrigan, 66, has been working in the drugs area since 1968, when he became involved in the forensic analysis of drugs seized by gardaí.

Drugs Strategy Minister Roisín Shortall praised his record and said he was a “driving force” in the area.