Govt accused of failing to address cocaine problem

Anti-drug campaigners have accused the Government of failing to treat Ireland's growing cocaine problem with the seriousness it deserves.

There are no recent statistics on the prevalence of the drug, but those who work with addicts say cocaine is becoming an increasing problem in cities, towns and villages across the country.

They say this is evident through the amount of cocaine seizures being made, as well as several surveys indicating the growing popularity of the drug.

Anna Quigley, the co-ordinator of the anti-drug group Citywide, said the Government was only creating future problems for itself by failing to tackle the problem now.

"The Government has been very slow to react and, unfortunately, this mirrors what happened with heroin," she said.

"Community leaders in local areas for years and years were warning that this [heroin] problem was developing and they weren't listened to."