Sharp rise in number of drug users in treatment using cocaine

There has been an 80% jump over the last four years in the number of drug users in treatment who are using cocaine, according to new research.

The figures have continued to rise nationally in the first six months of this year, with particular increases in Dublin.

Data gathered by the HSE’s National Drug Treatment Centre show that the percentage of drug users in treatment testing positive for cocaine jumped between 2012 and 2016, from 5% to 9%.