Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The European Drug Report 2022 states that there has been a worrying increase in crack cocaine use in Belgium, Ireland, Spain, France, Italy and Portugal. This is a massive problem that is placing a major strain on services. Those addicted to crack cocaine behave differently and require different treatment from those who are addicted to heroin. We desperately need a concerted effort across Europe to find a synthetic and safe substitute to crack cocaine, similar to methadone, in order to try to give people a chance at stabilisation and starting their road to recovery. Given that Ireland is a small State, but one with a loud voice, we might not have the physical capacity to develop these treatments but we should advocate at every available opportunity for the European Union to develop a plan to tackle this crisis we are facing.

This will not just reduce harm, it will save lives. We are willing to work with the Government and our European partners on this because crack cocaine is becoming a major issue across Europe.

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