Surge in the use of heroin across Cork

There are 500 heroin addicts in Cork City and county — a massive increase in the past 10 years — with only half of them receiving any help.

According to experts, three quarters of the addicts are male, and range in age from their 20s to their 50s. Around 95% are under 30.

It is estimated that, 10 years ago, there were no more than 20 heroin addicts in the region, which had at that time escaped the heroin scourge which had taken serious hold in parts of Dublin.