New research on cocaine use has found that nearly two thirds of users aged 18-34 are unconvinced or do not believe that the drug is highly addictive.
The study carried out for the HSE also found that only two out of every five users are concerned about the effects to cocaine use on their health.
The findings were released today at the launch of a new campaign to combat cocaine use.
The National Drugs Awareness Campaign will involve outdoor, washroom, digital and radio advertising using the theme, 'The Party's Over.'
The campaign was launched by the Minister for State with responsibility for the National Drug Strategy, Pat Carey.
The study found that one in seven users become dependent on cocaine and one in 20 users become addicted in the first year of use.
It found 40% of users had taken the drug at least once in the last three months, with one in five saying they took it every month.
Two thirds of respondents reported using it on a weekday evening out with friends and a quarter on a weekday evening at home.
Social environments were the preferred venue for cocaine use.
Two fifths of those surveyed said they had used cocaine at staff party and one in five had used it at a work or client function.
The campaign will cost around €500,000 and will run for a year.
