The Government advisory agency on drugs has expressed concern about the growing use of cocaine in Ireland.
A report by the National Advisory Committee On Drugs said it is clear that people who use cocaine do not consider the harmful effects.
The overview of cocaine use showed that it is perceived as a safe drug that does not lead to dependency in the same way that other drugs such as heroin do.
Other studies show that 3% of the general population report ever using cocaine, and the trend is towards increased use.
Dr Des Corrigan, chairperson of the NACD, said the committee is concerned that a growing number of cocaine users are injecting. There are also significant gaps in their knowledge regarding the recreational use of cocaine.
He said that people are not aware of the risks of mixing cocaine with alcohol. Snorting cocaine damages blood vessels in the nose, and sharing equipment can lead to hepatitis.
Mixing cocaine with alcohol increases the risk of heart attacks and of overdosing.
Anecdotal evidence from pubs and nightclubs indicates that the drug is increasingly available for recreational use.
Only a small percentage in recent surveys reported seeking treatment for problematic cocaine use, even though many users experienced a range of ill effects or difficulties.
