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A community perspective of cocaine use in Ireland: a brief exploratory study.

Article Excerpt
Background to research

Increases in cocaine use and seizures across Europe have been statistically visible in the last two decades (EMCDDA 2006). Irish drug treatment statistics indicate that while heroin remains the primary drug of misuse among drug users who seek treatment, available national and regional treatment figures suggest that cocaine is currently observed as a secondary drug of misuse (Health Service Executive 2006). Reports of an increased level of cocaine use in the Irish pub/dance and club scenes are linked to greater cocaine availability, decreasing price and increased social acceptance of cocaine use (Mayock 2001). As cocaine users can often continue to function normally in the face of increasing dependency and coupled with the lack of dedicated cocaine treatment services in Ireland, it is thought that mainstream treatment services may only be servicing the "tip of the iceberg." Against a background of increasing affluence in Irish society, the emergence of cocaine use among all social strata and location, increased cocaine seizures and heightened gang/drug related violence, this trend of cocaine use in Ireland is cause for concern from a public health and order perspective.

Research aim

This research aimed to investigate an inner city community's perception of cocaine use in Ireland. The study was undertaken due to rising community concern of apparent increased cocaine availability, increased social and problematic use among opiate addicts and recreational users, hostile gang behavior on the streets, and the destructive financial impact on heavy cocaine users and their families.

Methodology

Interviews were conducted with a range of informants including drug-service providers, An Garda Siochana (Irish police), youth workers, drug counselors, family support workers, general medical practitioners, hospital personnel, night-club owners, publicans, parents and carers, taxi drivers, doormen, community workers, money advice and lending services, outreach workers, prison liaison officers, politicians, priests, teachers and a small number of key informants considered to have experience of and insight into common and preferred drug-taking practices in the North Dublin suburb (n=88). The interviews lasted between 30 and 45 minutes depending on...