Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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According to a United Nations report, statistics show that Irish people are the fourth highest consumers of cocaine globally. Over a short few years, there has been a 171% in the number of young people receiving treatment for cocaine abuse in this country. In 2023 alone, over 13,000 people were treated for problem drug use. Four in ten of those cases were first-time presentations. Cocaine is the most common drug responsible for referrals. It accounts for one in three cases, which underlines the chilling fact that we have a serious and ever-growing problem with cocaine use in this country. The problem is growing rapidly with a dramatic rise in the number of young women seeking help to combat their addiction to cocaine. Figures provided by the HSE show that there was close to a 400% increase among females seeking treatment for cocaine addiction between 2017 and 2023.

All current indicators show an explosion in cocaine use across society. We are on the verge of a cocaine crisis. It is destructive and alarming. It is a new cancer spreading throughout our society. Behind these disturbing statistics lies the person — a son, daughter, husband, wife, mother or father. Cocaine makes no distinction between the lives it destroys and the lives it takes. Cocaine has gripped people across Ireland by the throat and most are unable to loosen its hold. An increasing number of lives are being decimated.

Currently, the problem of drug misuse is tackled in a co-ordinated and integrated way under the national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery. A mid-term review of and report on this strategy were published. As this is the final year of the policy initiative, when can we expect a final report? It would appear to many on the front line that this strategy has not been effective or successful. Given the consistent rise in the numbers seeking help for drug addiction, the overall effectiveness of this approach must be measured. Is it reaching those in danger of dabbling in drugs? Is it targeting those who have tried drugs such as cocaine and are at risk of addiction? Are our support and response systems adequate? What key issues have been identified and not yet addressed?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for raising what is an important and serious issue facing Irish society. The Government is acutely aware of the terrible damage that drugs can do to individual users, their families, communities and society as a whole. We are committed to a health-led approach to drug use that reduces the harms associated with drugs and supports recovery from problematic drug use.

In 2024, over 13,000 people sought treatment. That represented an increase of 50% in the number of cases since the national drugs strategy commenced in 2017. This is a worrying trend and, clearly, much more must be done. The Department of Health is providing funding on a recurring basis to the HSE to expand drug services for people with problematic cocaine use across the country. A number of projects have been funded in the Dublin region, including projects that work specifically with women who use cocaine and crack cocaine. The HSE is running a Reduce the Harm awareness campaign on cocaine use in conjunction with community-based drug services. The campaign raises awareness about the dangers of using cocaine powder and crack cocaine and how to reduce the harm associated with snorting, smoking or injecting through online resources and posters. The Government in May established the Joint Committee on Drugs Use to consider recommendations in the report of the Citizens' Assembly on Drugs Use and make a reasoned response to each recommendation.

The growth in the use of cocaine is shocking. The data from the Health Research Board is a real wake-up call for all of us. Cocaine was the most common drug reported in 2024, comprising close to 40% of all cases. There was a 7.4% increase in 2023, from 4,923 people to 5,289. Cocaine remains the most common main drug among new cases, accounting for almost one half in 2024. Of those reporting crack cocaine as the main problem, 45.6% were female, 7.2% were employed and the median age was 40. Of those reporting powder cocaine as the main problem, 22% were female, 38.8% were employed and the median age entering treatment was 32.

Those are alarming trends in cocaine use. The national drugs strategy and its successor strategy will have to focus on this key issue. The Department of Health has commenced the preparation of the successor national drugs strategy. It has, as the Deputy said, commissioned an independent evaluation of the outgoing strategy, which will be published shortly. We can get that to the Deputy. That evaluation will inform the next national drugs strategy, as will the recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly on Drugs Use and the views of the re-established Joint Committee on Drugs Use. The Department has undertaken in-person consultations on the successor strategy with relevant stakeholders. More than 250 people have attended consultations, including civil society organisations and people and families with lived and living experience.

Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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I appreciate the Taoiseach's concern. Most people agree that not enough is being done to address the growing cocaine situation in our cities, towns and villages, and even at crossroads. We obviously do not have our fingers on the pulse of what is happening or the extent of it. We need to strengthen and expand current strategies, together with funding new initiatives to counteract the malaise of drug abuse. We need a renewed public awareness campaign showing the dangers and information on supports that can be accessed. We need to increase the number of places available in rehabilitation facilities and improve back-up assistance for those in recovery. Without providing such supports, we are fighting a losing battle. It is a battle that will continue to spiral out of control and could end in tragedy for many of our families.

I am very much looking forward to meeting the Taoiseach on Sunday, although we will be on opposing teams.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I fully take on board what the Deputy is saying about the need to expand the current strategies and for a new public awareness campaign on this issue. I will speak to the Minister for Health and other Ministers about the matter. We will take a cross-departmental approach.

On the criminal justice side, there have been some strong and successful interventions by An Garda Síochána, which must be acknowledged, particularly in the context of its international collaborations. It has had good results in seizures and so forth. The health-led approach has worked historically at the level of the individual and community. It is a society-wide response. We will be pursuing those issues along with the European Union in the context of its drugs strategy.

May I take the opportunity to wish the Deputy the best of enjoyment next Sunday at Croke Park. All I can say is that the Cork hurlers will do everything they possibly can to make it a most enjoyable occasion for him.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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I am glad I will not be refereeing that one.