Ollie Crowe (Fianna Fail)

I raise the issue of illegal drug use, specifically cocaine. All Members will be aware that usage of this drug has soared in recent years, as has been reflected in every piece of data we see. The HSE's drugs and alcohol helpline produced its latest annual report last month, for the year 2023, in which the helpline received almost 6,000 calls. These were the largest figures since the service began 28 years ago.

The report highlighted the dramatic rise in cocaine use, stating that in 2009, cocaine was mentioned in only 2% of call, whereas in 2023, this had increased to 21%. Also last month, data from the national drug treatment reporting system published by the Health Research Board, HRB, showed an upward trend in treatment cases by up to 50% in the past eight years. Cocaine was the main drug in almost 40% of these cases of treatment. In 2023, that figure was under 33%, representing a dramatic increase over in just 12 months. This report also highlighted a 426% increase in treatment rates for female users of the drug in the past eight years. Overall, there has been a 215% increase in cases receiving treatment for cocaine as the main problem drug since 2017. These are extraordinary numbers in any person's language.

If you speak to anyone involved with young people on a regular basis, they will tell you how common cocaine has become and how early teenagers are beginning to use the drug. It is absolutely frightening. An addiction counsellor in Limerick said on the radio earlier this month that it is not uncommon for him to meet young people in their twenties who were introduced to cocaine at an alarmingly young age, with some as young as 15. There is no shortage of research or findings that make it equally clear how normalised the use of this drug has become. Obviously, I cannot go through them all today, but it is clear this is a major issue. It is a ticking timebomb that needs urgent attention. We need to massively increase our efforts to tackle this epidemic as a matter of priority. I would be grateful if the Leader of the House could raise the matter with the relevant Minister and ask them to come before the House for a broader discussion.