Irish Examiner view: Cocaine use figures go from bad to worse

Young people at risk as report highlights clear link between mental health and substance use

Cocaine use has rocketed in recent years, especially among young people.

Just a month since European police and drugs agencies warned about the level of cocaine availability in Ireland, a new and alarming set of statistics have been issued about its use among young people.

Ireland now has the second-highest proportion in Europe of 15- to 24-year-olds who have used cocaineand ecstasy at least once, says the Health Research Board in a 223-page report covering 2019-2020, the most recent official data available. Britain has the highest usage rate.